 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: Gerry L
Date: 2011-08-04 08:19
I’m very happy that now finally I have an oboe with a 3rd octave key – yay! ![[toast]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley15.gif)
But I’m also somewhat confused by the odd location that it’s in – boo! ![[down]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley23.gif)
Up until now I have been resting my left thumb on the wood (not a thumbplate system) and rolling on to the 1st octave key as required. This method I thought and assumed was common.
But when you have to get to the 3rd octave key – either from the wood or from the tip of the 1st octave key – you’re nowhere near it!
So what was the intent of the designers when it was decided to have the 3rd octave key overlap the upper part of the 1st octave key? Was it intended that the thumb should actually be floating free, away from the wood, ready to land on either octave key? Or should you just float the thumb when you see some high stuff coming up?
I trust the collective wisdom of this forum can set me straight on this! If I should really be floating the thumb than I’ll just have to get used to it.
(Confession – I am an ex-bassoonist, and my left thumb was kind of lonely back there with just one key to push – so a bit more work to do will be just fine!)
Thanks,
Gerry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-08-04 09:25
With conservatoire systems, your left thumb is free to do what you want with it, so you can keep it off the instrument completely and press the back 8ve key or keep it against the back of the top joint and roll onto the back 8ve key, or anything in between (ie. lift off and press the back 8ve key).
The 3rd 8ve is designed to be set well out the way so you don't accidentally press it, so you have to reach for it when you need to use it. You can use it in conjunction with the 1st 8ve key (by rolling/sliding up to it while still holding the 1st 8ve key down) or use it on its own depending what works best - either from high E or F# upwards. It helps some altissimo notes speak easier when played pp and adds substance to others.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2011-08-04 11:24)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2011-08-07 13:39
On my Lorée, I just jump the thumb from no 8va key to either one or the other key. On this particular instrument, this is how I get the notes most clearly. On antoher individual instrument, things can be different.
I was most impressed with an oboist (www.oboealways.com) who starts on an altissimo A and reach the C without teeth on a Laubin without 3rd octave key. This again demonstrates that each brand and each individual instrument requires different treatment.
Best of luck and enjoy!
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
