 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2011-12-16 19:21
Hi,
a few months back --- I was complaining about water in my upper octave key and C key.
Well - I just figured out part of the problem - if not most of it.
When I make reeds - I am constantly picking up and placing the oboe back on the oboe peg ...
Well the Oboe stands straight up - so the water does not go down the back as usual ... voila - into the keys instead!
I now keep the oboe peg-stand on an angle - so the water drips down the back as usual.
One must be careful as not to start a new drip pattern because of the stand.
Mark
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-12-16 19:50
excellent, practical point, Mark.
Now that you mention it, I've had 'gurgle' problems too, when I use a vertical stand, and they disappear if I just keep the instrument resting happily in my lap. Good point: if you want to park your oboe on a stand, better swab it or cigarett paper the affected key first~
GoodWinds
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Author: Wes
Date: 2011-12-16 20:51
Now I know why I never have gurgle problems as I never use a floor stand while playing the oboe. In my earlier days in Minneapolis, I kept instruments on my lap to keep them warmer and that habit has served me well. The floor stands are also a target for loose cannon trumpet and cello players who blunder at full speed through the oboe section. Thanks for the great comments.
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Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2011-12-16 21:05
I use "Woodwind All" spray to treat the bores of all my instruments.
Thin flowing chemical- completely absorbed into the fibers of the wood.
Does not build up on the surface of the bore. Does not affect the sound
whatsoever.
Actually helps pad seal if some gets on the pads.
Helps to eliminate gurgling in the octave vents, and the B# and A# vents on the upper joint. I have had zero gurgling on any of the instruments I have treated with "Woodwind All." Helps reduce the possibility of cracking, though there is no substitute for warming up your instrument under arm, under jacket/sweater/coat for five minutes every time before playing.
Easy to apply- no preparation need be done before application.
Good stuff!
Oboes.us
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-12-16 22:45
Peter,
Do you use Woodwind-All directly on the octave vents? I have considered it, but feared it would eventually make them "gunky".
Susan
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Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2011-12-17 03:21
Hi Susan,
I only spray Woodwind All into the bore.
So far, I have not had any difficulty with the chemical occluding the octave vents...
With best wishes,
Peter
Oboes.us
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Author: Gerry L
Date: 2011-12-17 03:56
I'm with Mark on this one, and had the same problem with a previous instrument. When you stand the oboe vertically you are essentially telling whatever water remains up top to go wherever it wants. And if you're having a bad day then it will trickle right down into the octave vents. ![[mad]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie9.gif)
I now have a new oboe and have decided not to put it on vertical stands. It is developing a nice little water channel down the back, and that's where I'd like it to stay!
Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes a slanted stand?
Cheers,
Gerry
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-12-17 04:41
no, but if YOU were to patent one, we might all go for it!
GoodWinds
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Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2011-12-17 04:42
A neat trick that I learned... Well... Copied from Fossati instruments. For this Malaysian coins work very well...
After playing and cleaning the oboe thoroughly, place 3 coins (or something similarly strong, solid, and thin enough) under these 3 spots:
1. In between 1st and 3rd octave key. (so that 1st octave key is pressed)
2. Under the screw that sits in between 1st and 2nd octave pad. This is the mechanism that prevents both from opening at the same time. With the 2 coins placed they should then be open! To control the amount of opening, simple find a suitable sized coin for step no. 2.
3. Looking at top joint of oboe from the back you see at the far bottom right a connection to the lower joint. You can insert a coin under this bar and effectively prop up the small C and Bb pads.
With these pads open they will help dry the oboe more effectively. With the case open this is even better but perhaps be careful in a winter day! I always do this overnight, Malaysian weather permits.
Howard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-12-17 09:06
This is where dual and thumbplate system oboes have the advantage over pure conservatoire systems as the Bb and C pads remain fully open on them while the thumb is off the thumbplate, so clearing those toneholes of water is much easier to do.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-12-17 13:32
I do something similar to what Howard suggests, except except I use folded-up cigarette paper under the arms of the upper octave, trill,and linkage keys.
Sometimes I think the answer would be to have two identical oboes (as if there actually were such a thing), so I could have one to play, and one to let dry out for 24 hours between sessions.
Sort of like the old joke about how many Jaguar automobiles you need -- one to drive, one to keep in the repair shop, and one for spare parts.
Susan
Post Edited (2011-12-17 13:50)
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Author: pliscapoivre
Date: 2011-12-17 18:51
Brilliant, everyone. I have always used a stand while making reeds because I fear getting reed dust on and in the instrument. Today I stopped myself from using the stand at least 10 times, and -- no water for the first time in months. Thanks for the wonderful tip, Mark.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-12-17 19:38
I've always thought that good oboes and classic/vintage/pricey cars have much in common...
GoodWinds
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Author: jazzchicklet
Date: 2013-01-20 12:48
I've found that modular stands help with these issues. As a doubler I frequently end up with 5 or more instruments at a gig so had to start combining stands. I was mad at first when I bought my Hercules alto sax/clarinet/oboe stand, because the slant of the three legs meant that the oboe and clarinet pegs were on a lean. About a week later I realised the lean was just enough to fix all the water problems I'd been having in both my clarinet and oboe. Seems like an accidental design flaw that actually worked out to be a benefit!
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