{"id":1781824,"date":"2024-06-18T08:45:16","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T12:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/?post_type=articles&p=1781824"},"modified":"2024-07-09T16:48:31","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T20:48:31","slug":"oboe-quickstart-guide","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/oboe-quickstart-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Oboe Quickstart Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

IMPORTANT:<\/strong> In all things regarding your new oboe, ask your private teacher to show you how it\u2019s done. As your teacher shows you how to play the instrument, he or she will be able to answer your questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations on your new oboe<\/a> from Sweetwater. The oboe has a distinct and beautiful tone that can be found in the soundtracks of some of your favorite movies. We are sure you will enjoy growing and learning more about the oboe for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Parts of an Oboe<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  2. If Your Oboe is Made of Wood<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  3. How to Assemble an Oboe<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  4. Proper Playing Technique for Oboe<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  5. Clean Your Oboe and Take It Apart<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  6. Oboe Care and Maintenance<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Parts of an Oboe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    TIP<\/strong>: Different models of oboe may vary in the number of keys. Don\u2019t worry if your oboe does not look exactly like the diagrams here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The oboe is a double-reed instrument in the woodwind family. The oboe reed is actually two pieces of cane bound together. When you blow air into the reed, it vibrates to create the sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Most student model oboes will be made of a plastic material, but more advanced oboes can be made of a hardwood called grenadilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Parts<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Parts of an Oboe<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    TIP<\/strong>: Having a couple of reeds that you switch between can make them last longer. Ask your teacher if you have any questions on the best way to care for these delicate reeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Oboe<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    An oboe reed<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the oboe reed<\/strong>, two pieces of cane have been carved and shaped and are bound together and mounted into a metal tube wrapped in cork. The reed fits into the socket in the upper joint. The reed must be handled carefully, stored in a reed case, and replaced when it wears out or breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tone Holes and Keys<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The body of the oboe has a number of tone holes <\/strong>that are closed by keys<\/strong>. Opening and closing the keys in different combinations changes the note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Body of the Oboe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The oboe\u2019s body is divided into sections which you put together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Upper Joint<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The upper joint<\/strong> holds the keys and levers that you play with your left hand. Certain keys on the upper joint are connected to the lower joint using the bridge key<\/strong> mechanism. Be careful when putting the upper and lower joints together to make sure the bridge keys don\u2019t hit anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lower Joint<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The lower joint<\/strong> contains other keys and tone holes which you play with your right-hand fingers. On the back is the thumb rest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bell<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The bell<\/strong> is the flared piece at the end of the air column. Different oboes may have a bell with one key, or two, or none. Ask your teacher to show you how to attach the bell, depending on its design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If Your Oboe is Made of Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    IMPORTANT<\/strong>: If your oboe is made of grenadilla wood, you need to take special care of it and protect it from drastic changes in temperature. Otherwise, the wood can crack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Never leave your oboe in a cold place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you just received a new wooden oboe, bring the box inside and wait a full day to permit your oboe to acclimate to the temperature in your house before you take it out and assemble it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A new wooden oboe needs to be broken in slowly. Start out playing it for only ten to fifteen minutes a day, swabbing it out thoroughly afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ask your teacher about caring for your new wooden oboe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Learn more in Sweetwater\u2019s Oboe Care and Maintenance Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>

    Oboe Care and Maintenance Guide<\/p>

    <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a>\n\n\n\n

    How to Assemble an Oboe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    TIP<\/strong>: If you have questions about putting your oboe together, ask your teacher to show you how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Put your oboe case on a table. Make sure the brand logo is on top, so you don\u2019t open the case upside-down. Now lift the latches or unzip the case and open the lid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Soak Your Reed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Soaking the reed in a cup of water<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dip the tip of the reed (the end with the cane) in a cup of water. Let it soak for a couple of minutes, while you put the oboe together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cork Grease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The sections of the oboe are fitted together by short tenons<\/strong> which are wrapped in cork. Apply a little cork grease if the sections don\u2019t fit together easily. Ask your teacher when and how to use cork grease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Assemble the bell and the joints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    First, attach the bell to the lower joint. The way you do this depends on whether your bell has one key, two keys or no keys, so ask your teacher to show you the correct way to do this for your oboe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n
    \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_02\"<\/a>
    Fitting the bell to the lower joint<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_03\"<\/a>
    Aligning the bell key with the mechanism on the lower joint<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \n
    \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_04\"<\/a>
    Attaching the upper joint to the lower joint<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    When you hold the upper joint, don\u2019t put pressure on the keys; grasp it from the top of the upper joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Grasp the lower joint with your other hand. Your teacher will show you where to place your thumb on the correct key of the lower joint to raise the bridge key mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n
    \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_05\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_06\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Two views of the proper alignment of the bridge key mechanism between the upper joint and lower joint<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you fit the two joints together, you need to carefully align the parts of the bridge key mechanism. Make sure you don\u2019t hit any of the other keys or posts. Ask your teacher to show you how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_09\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Inserting the reed into the reed socket in the upper joint<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Take the soaked reed out of its cup of water. Insert the reed into the top of the upper joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Proper Playing Technique for Oboe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_08\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Proper posture and playing position<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Playing the oboe requires breath support<\/strong>, which means controlling the way you blow air through an instrument. Your teacher will spend a lot of time working with you on this. In order to have good breath support, you need to sit with good posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Get a sturdy chair of the right height so you can sit on the forward part of the chair with both feet flat on the floor. Your upper body and head need to be straight and tall, not leaning forward. Bring the oboe to you; don\u2019t move toward the oboe. Your shoulders should be slightly back, but relaxed, not tensed up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your teacher will coach you as you play your first notes. Your teacher will help you form the correct embouchure<\/strong>, which means the way you hold your mouth and your lips with the reed inserted into your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you play, hold the oboe at a 45\u00b0 angle to your body, not pointing outward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Hold the oboe with your right thumb on the thumbrest. Your teacher will show you how to position each of your fingers to work the keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clean Your Oboe and Take It Apart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Every time you finish playing your oboe, you need to disassemble it and swab it out to remove the moisture, and then put the pieces back into the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Swabbing Your Oboe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    IMPORTANT<\/strong>: Be careful not to let the swab get stuck in the instrument. If you feel any resistance as you are pulling the swab through, pull it back out the other side. If it gets stuck, consult an instrument repair technician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Water from your breath, or condensation, works its way through the oboe while you play. The inside of the oboe needs to be dried out every time you finish playing, before you put it away. This is done in stages, using two swabs, one large and one small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Remove the reed from the upper joint.<\/li>
    2. Separate the upper joint from the lower joint and set the upper joint aside.<\/li>
    3. Swab out the bell and lower joint using the larger swab.<\/li>
    4. Swab out the upper joint using the smaller swab.<\/li>
    5. Remove the bell from the lower joint.<\/li>
    6. Put all the parts back in the case.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Here are the steps in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Remove the reed from the upper joint and set it in a reed case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Separate the upper joint from the lower joint, in the reverse manner that you put it together, taking care with the bridge key mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The swab for the lower joint has a long string attached, with a small metal weight at the end. Unwrap the swab and lay out the full length of the string. Make sure there are no knots or kinks; otherwise, the swab will get stuck inside the oboe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_10\"<\/a>
      Inserting the weight of the swab\u2019s string into the bell<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_11\"<\/a>
      Letting the weight and the string fall through the lower joint of the oboe.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Hold your oboe upside-down and insert the weighted end of the swab\u2019s string into the bell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Let the weight fall through the bell and lower joint. Grab the weight when it emerges below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_12\"<\/a>
      Placing the bell and lower joint of the oboe on your lap and grabbing the string<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_13\"<\/a>
      Drawing the swab through the bell and lower joint of the oboe<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Place the instrument on your lap, and carefully and slowly pull on the string to draw the swab through the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Separate the bell from the lower joint, and place both back in the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Now it\u2019s time to swab out the upper joint. It\u2019s the same procedure as you used on the lower joint, but you use the smaller swab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_15\"<\/a>
      Inserting the weight of the swab\u2019s string into the tenon of the upper joint<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_16\"<\/a>
      Letting the weight and the string fall through the lower joint of the oboe.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Hold the lower joint upside down and insert the weighted end of the swab\u2019s string into the tenon. Let it fall through the joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_17\"<\/a>
      Placing the upper joint of the oboe on your lap and grabbing the string<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_18\"<\/a>
      Drawing the swab through the upper joint of the oboe<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n
      \n
      \"Oboe_Quickstart_Guide_19\"<\/a>
      Pulling the swab free from the upper joint<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Place the upper joint on your lap, grab the string, and gently pull the swab through the upper joint until it’s free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Now you can put the upper joint back in the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      TIP<\/strong>: Pack up your oboe in its case and let the swabs dry out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Wipe down the keys and metal parts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Take each part of the oboe out of the case for a moment and use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the keys and metal parts to protect them from tarnishing. Now place the parts back in the case and close it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Oboe Care and Maintenance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Now that you know more about your new oboe, learn how to keep it playing smoothly. Read our Oboe Care and Maintenance Guide<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/div>

      Oboe Care and Maintenance Guide<\/p>

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