Author: oboe1960
Date: 2007-01-04 00:52
Hmmmm....... I've been playing oboe for over 30 years and never used anything but turkey feathers to "swab" with---- although it really isn't swabbing, just spreading the moisture around. My teacher was Paul Covey and this is what he said to do.... guess he knows what he's talking about!
In fact, a year or so ago I was out of turkey feathers (which are cleaned and sterilized; come on, guys!) and tried a swab instead. I think it created a channel for the moisture, and I never had as many problems with water gurgling in a tone hole as I did when using a swab.
I will note one drawback to feathers, is the occasional problem of little bits off the end getting hung up inside, but closing all the fingers and blowing through the joint will clear this up.
I don't like pheasant feathers because they are 1. too skinny and 2. too flimsy.
There are a million different viewpoints on this, and there are merits to either method.
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