How do you fix a sticky key on an oboe?
Stephanie: If it is only the pad sticking and not a key binding then some people like to fix the sticky pad with cigarette paper or a new US dollar bill. If a piece of cigarette paper alone did not fix it, some will put the smallest amount of baby powder on the paper and then press the pad down on it.
How do you get a stuck Reed out of a oboe?
Use cork grease on the reed cork to make it easier to remove, or fine sandpaper to thin the cork. If a reed cork is too thin and loose in the reed well, wrapping it with plumbers tape or cigarette paper, or even dental floss can work in a pinch.
How do you clean an oboe?
To clean the oboe use a swab to dry the inside of the bore and a brush and polishing cloth to clean the outside keywork.
How do you clean an oboe swab?
The silk oboe swabs are great for any level of oboe player. They are soft enough for polishing the instrument and absorbent enough to soak up the water when swabbing the inside of the instrument. Simply thread through the end of any cleaning rod.
What is low B flat on oboe?
And that’s actually not a bad excuse – the oboe’s low B-flat is – to put it politely – “unusually pungent.” To put it rudely, it squawks. There’s no way to play it gently or as part of a flowing phrase, unless the player is some sort of specialist.
How do you care for an oboe?
Daily Maintenance / Tips
- Soak Your Reed Before Playing. Before playing soak your oboe reed in water whilst you put your oboe together.
- Clean Your Oboe with a Swab After Playing.
- Check that the Oboe Tenons Aren’t too Stiff to Move.
- Polish the Keywork in 5 Minutes.
- Brush the Dust off the Oboe.
- Oil the Springs of the Instrument.
How do you sanitize an oboe?
Hydrogen Peroxide should work OK. I actually use that to clean out my oboe reeds and make them last longer. Just soak them in that for 30 seconds or so, and then in water…
What is the lowest note the oboe can play?
A: The oboe is the soprano or mezzo-soprano member, the oboe d’amore (pitched in A) is the alto, the English horn (pitched in F) is the tenor, and the bass oboe is the lowest member (pitched in C, an octave below the oboe).
Is oboe difficult to play?
The oboe: one of the more difficult woodwind instruments to play. The oboe is said to be one of the more difficult woodwind instruments to play. It first takes some time until the player can even produce a sound, and even then, a beginner has little ability to control it. It would seem to be a challenging instrument.
How do you clean an oboe key?
Care and maintenance after playing
- Cleaning the interior of the pipe.
- Care and maintenance of the outside surface. Lightly wipe down the outside of the instrument using a polishing cloth.
- Care and maintenance of the keys. Wipe down the keys using a polishing cloth or silk cloth.
- Remove any moisture from the pads.
How often should I clean my oboe?
Cleaning the oboe is loving the oboe. Oboes need love too. Cleaning the inside of oboe after every playing session is a “must do” task whether you are a beginner or a professional oboist. Oboe cleaning is not difficult, but it is very important therefore it should always be done.
Why is my saxophone not working?
If notes won’t play (or require a lot of air to play) it’s almost always due to an air leak. The leather pads located under the keys are supposed to seal the air from the tone holes, but if the pad doesn’t seal well the saxophonist will find themselves blowing harder or squeezing the key until it seals.
How do you soften saxophone pads?
Any of the liquid products, such as neatsfoot oil, old english oil, and so forth, will soften the leather of the pad to some degree. It’ll depend a lot on how much crap is coating the pad. If your pads are coated in 20 years of gunk, the liquid preps will soften the gunk more than the leather.
How do you tell if your oboe reed is broken?
If the tip of the reed look like your cat or dog chewed on it! If the corners of the tip have mysteriously vanished… If the two blades have separated and you can see into the middle of the reed through the sides of the blades!
What’s the best way to fix a sticky lock?
Try your key in the lock. Test the lock by inserting and removing your key once or twice. You shouldn’t have any trouble getting it in and out of the lock now. Turn the key in both directions to see how fluidly it moves. Sliding your key in and out of the lock will help spread the graphite around inside to the place where it most needs to be.
What should I do if my piano keys keep sticking?
The key slip is the board that sits in front of the keys. There should be room for the key to be pressed down and then let up without ever touching or rubbing against the key slip in front of the key. Look down in between the key and the key slip. Can you see space there? There should be several millimeters of space.
How do you remove sticky pads from clarinet?
For flutes and clarinets you can use a piece of cotton cloth, a corner of which you moisten with lighter fluid. Place this corner under the pad and very gently close the key onto the cloth. Slowly and gently drag the cloth out.
What’s the best way to flatten a key?
Take a heavy rubber or wooden mallet and strike the key from above to flatten it against the table. You may have to strike the key multiple times in order to flatten it entirely. Avoid using pliers or a vice to straighten the key, as you may bend it too far in the opposite direction and reduce the strength of the key.