 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: D
Date: 2008-11-03 17:09
Hey guys
I've had a good rummage but a search on this topic keeps giving me bottom register trills. Any ideas about a middle of the stave B to C# trill on a Howarth S10 thumplate oboe? Is it possible?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-11-03 21:45
The S10 doesn't have a B-C# trill key - only the C-D trill key (on the top joint for LH finger 3), though you should be able to get away with using it as a B-C# trill as well.
So play B (xoo|ooo) and trill the C-D trill key with LH3 (xo'o|ooo) , though the C# may be slightly sharp - but as it's a trill, it's not massively important. Opening the trill key by a small amount will help to keep the pitch of the 'fake' C# down.
On all models from the S20 upwards, the B-C# trill key is for LH3 (same place as the C-D trill key on S10s), and the main C-D trill key is on the lower joint for RH finger 2.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: D
Date: 2008-11-04 05:32
Thanks Chris. That is the first one I've come across that completely stumped me.....and typically it's in an exam piece. I'll see what the tuning is like at a more respectable hour (6.30.....neighbours might kill me!) and hope I can get away with it. It's a baroque pieces so perhaps I can ornament that section so it is less vital to have the trill very exposed!
D
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2008-11-04 10:36
I am not familiar with the model of oboe in question, but is LH 1st finger open C# an option? Or does the thumbplate make this impossible to play without fluffing?
Anyhow, it would be a very precarious trill to play at the best of times, never mind an examination.
Post Edited (2008-11-04 10:39)
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Author: D
Date: 2008-11-04 18:26
jhoyla
Could you elaborate? I am afraid I don't understand. I normally need the thumbplate for both notes, and the B has a whole index finger but nothing else, then the C# half an index finger and everything else. Which is why I can't do it!
Yes, it is a rather unpleasant trill. The spot where it is does need some ornamentation and a trill is specifically marked there. However, it is baroque, so I might have to ornament in a different way and cunningly avoid the trill if Chris' idea above doesn't work. Got to wait until the house has less people in it to try that.
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Author: D
Date: 2008-11-04 20:32
Chris, you rock. That works, and only sounds slightly disgusting. I'll just make the bar or two proceeding sound awful too so it blends in.....
Thanks for your help.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-11-05 01:47
Howarth thumbplate and dual system oboes have the LH1 fingerplate screwed down almost closed so there's only very slight movement in it, so lifting LH1 won't give the 'open C#' at all.
Listen to Baroque music recordings played on reproduction or period woodwind instruments - some trills are either less than a semitone or more than a whole tone (depending on the key) and I think this adds a certain charm.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2008-11-05 05:09
There is an "open" fingering for C# that works on some instruments, but (according to Chris) not on yours.
It works by Lifting ALL your fingers off the instrument and playing - it should sound a C#. This is why I said it was a "precarious" fingering - all thumbs, so to speak :-)
On your instrument the LH 1st finger plate is screwed down so far that it won't sound true. If you have a screwdriver and are feeling adventurous you can open up the plate a millimeter or so, and try the open C#. Be aware that getting the opening back to its optimal "almost closed" position so that you can play altissimo register easily, can be challenging ... Caveat Emptor.
J.
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Author: D
Date: 2008-11-05 05:36
Crikey, that sounds distinctly risky!
All thumbs would be one thumb only because I'd also have to take the left thumb away from the thumb plate. I do it on the clarinet, but I think I'll skip that on the oboe! 'precarious' is right.
I can see I need to track down a period instrument version of this as you say.
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Author: vboboe
Date: 2008-11-05 07:33
it's been ages since i played Tplate, but vaguely seem to recall my ring-key model had a few options for B/C# trill (part of D Major studies) similar to recorder fingerings, but don't know if S10 will do any of these combos, give these a go, do any work out?
First one is basic, others are alternates
'pinch the top' -- Play B, keep Tplate closed, lift L1 to get 'open' C# = all fingers are up with Tplate closed, then trill with L1 -- can hold down REb for warmer tone
open Tplate -- fork L1&3 (L2 up) and R1 F#, flutter L2
open Tplate -- L1&2 closed with F#, flutter L3 (well, at least that one's good exercise for a weak 3rd finger)
open Tplate - L2&3 down with F#, flutter L1
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-11-05 12:05
Some thumbplate system oboes had LH1 connected to LH2 by an arm and adjusting screw, so as long as LH2 was closed, LH1 fingerplate would be held down almost closed. While LH2 remained open, LH1 would open fully so on these oboes, an open C# was possible. But it's more widespread to have LH1 completely independant from the rest of the LH main action and its own adjusting screw bearing against the wood.
Similarly with some fully automatic oboes, LH3 would lower LH1 almost closed by the long bridge linkage (and an adjusting screw on LH1) that controlled the automatic 8ves (connected to LH3). Though automatics are often built with LH1 independant from the main action.
Backing off the LH1 adjusting screw on an S10 will mean you have to roll LH1 down instead of lifting LH1 for the lower part of the upper register and lower altissimo, and still won't give a good open C# as LH1 fingerplate won't open fully.
Only on Howarth conservatoire systems does the LH1 fingerplate have the full venting to give open C# (and can be screwed right down too).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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