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 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date:   2005-07-15 14:18

I come to oboe from clarinet, where your left thumb covers a hole and ring and also operates the register key.

On clarinet, the register key is at the same level as the thumb ring. You put your thumb on the ring with the tip facing slightly "north" and as close to the register key as possible. The position varies according to the size of your hand and the length of your thumb. For me, the contact spot is just about at the corner of my thumb nail. Then, you barely move your thumb, slightly flexing the joint and slightly rolling upward and onto the key. It's as much a "nudge" as a "press."

On the oboe, the thumb key is often fairly thick, so the top is well above the wood. If you have trouble putting your thumb on the wood and opening the key, then just keep it above the key, and not on the wood. This also matches the double octave key technique taught for many years by Robert Sprenkle at Eastman, in which, you rotate your wrist to open the second key with the side of your left index finger, and at the same time rotate your thumb off its key.

The main thing, though, is to have your left hand in a comfortable position and make as little movement as possible.

Ken Shaw
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 Topics Author  Date
 Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
Dutchy 2005-07-14 00:44 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-14 06:56 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
Dutchy 2005-07-14 12:28 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-14 19:03 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
Dutchy 2005-07-15 01:32 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-15 15:25 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
Ken Shaw 2005-07-15 14:18 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-15 14:54 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-17 18:52 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
Dutchy 2005-07-17 21:32 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-18 03:50 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
Dutchy 2005-07-19 03:11 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-19 05:07 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
Ken Shaw 2005-07-19 15:07 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-19 17:13 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
wrowand 2005-07-19 18:29 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
Ken Shaw 2005-07-20 15:18 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
wrowand 2005-07-20 16:51 
 Re: Do you roll your thumb onto the octave key, or do you pick it up?  new
vboboe 2005-07-20 22:59 


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