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Re: Stuffy low Bb/pad not sealing?

Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-08-11 22:29

Check how the low B and Bb pads both closed by closing the low Bb touch very slowly and watching very carefully as to what's going on.

Both the low B and bell key pad cups should begin to move at exactly the same time, then the low B pad should close immediately followed by the bell key pad.

If the bell key pad moves and closes first, then it's out of adjustment and you need to back off the adjusting screw on the outer end of the feather keys until both pads move at the same time.

If the bell key is still not fully closing, then the bell key link may have been bent or lost the piece of silencing material glued to it.

If the low B pad isn't fully closing while the bell key pad is, then the bell key has most likely been bent so it has too little travel and preventing the low B pad to close.

If the low B pad moves and closes well before the bell key, then you can adjust the same adjusting screw clockwise until both keys move together.

If you have no luck with this, then the most likely problem is the feather keys have been bent, so they'll have to be straightened out - this is very common on oboes that are laid down on their feather keys.

Forget all this nonsense talk of 'spit trails' being formed by laying your oboe down as that's all a myth - they'll be removed once you mop the bore. The best thing you can do for your oboe when not playing for short periods is to use a stand so no pressure is applied to the keywork as it will be when you lay the instrument down. A stand with a heavy duty metal base is best as they offer better stability than lightweight plastic stands.

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

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