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Re: Professional Oboe Options

Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-04-24 12:49

I'm not a full time oboe player - my main instrument is sax and I studied clarinet and play some flute, piccolo and bassoon, so I do juggle the lot at some point or other, usually in Big Band playing (mainly bari which is also means doubling on alto, Bb clarinet and flute/piccolo) or in pit work where the demands of doubling and having all the various instruments (and reeds) fully playable at short notice are paramount.

I haven't got the most ideal oboe for the purpose as it's a kingwood one which is less stable than grenadilla, but I still played it in when I first got it (which was in Winter, even though I stress that's the worst time to buy any new instrument) and it hasn't cracked on me yet - that was back in 1999. If there's a situation where I'm putting it at risk, then I use my plastic back-up oboe, but I do prefer to play my No.1 oboe whenever I can. I have played it in less than favourable conditions, but took the measures to make sure no harm came to it - such as keeping the top joint warm whilst not playing and mopping out regularly so there's no excessive condensation build-up. That has kept it going and I rarely have trouble with the 8ve vents getting blocked.

Now is the best time to buy any wooden oboe of any make as the weater is getting better and humidity levels are on the rise. I bought my Marigaux cor brand new in July 1998 and I played that far more than oboe at the time and it didn't explode under pressure - but again I played it in gently over the first few weeks of having it and haven't had any problems. Similarly with my Marigaux d'amore - although it doesn't see nearly as much playing as my oboe or cor, it hadn't been played much in its time (since 1979) and again I play it when I can for a limited time to make sure it doesn't crack. It hasn't so far and I doubt it ever will.

The point I'm making is don't play any wooden instrument too much too early otherwise you increase the risk of them cracking. This applies to all makes and no one make is at anymore risk than another - they're all at risk and it's up to the player to realise this and take appropriate measures to prevent them cracking.

If you know you're going to hit the ground running with a brand new instrument, either make sure you get one that's capable of the demands you place on it - so either look into getting either a completely plastic instrument, one with a plastic top joint or one with a lined bore, or a used one that's been played and maintained regularly.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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DrewSorensenMusic

2012-04-22 23:01