About Rob Expertise specific questions about the oboe; the instrument, mechanical problems, its history, reeds, repertoire. Anything and everything oboe.
I can also answer general questions regarding music history and theory and literature.
Experience 13 years of playing and performing as an oboist in orchestras and as a chamber musician.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Music degree in Performance as well as private studies with teachers in New York and Boston.
Question QUESTION: Which key on the oboe is the F-Resonance key? I have a Buffet 4052 model oboe, and my forked F sounds horrible. Does this oboe have the resonance key? Is the resonance key supposed to make the forked f sound better?
ANSWER: Hello Ruth,
The F resonance key is on the side of the middle joint, between the regular F vent key and the C key pad. If you play forked F, the resonance key should stay open and yes, it is supposed to help with the intonation and color of the forked F; however, it does not do its job and many people just disengage the key altogether or learn to use the Left Hand F and regular F exclusively, which is what I have done.
If your oboe does not have a resonance key you can add the E flat key while fingering forked F, this usually remedies a foggy, muted and unfocused sounding forked F.
Hope this helps.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for the quick reply. I have been adding the E flat key with the forked F if I cannot use the left F or regular F. Sometimes I can't seem to avoid the Forked F, but I don't always remember to use the E flat key---hence my first question. I think I just need to work on using the other Fs exclusively. :-) Thanks again.
Answer Hello Ruth,
There will be moments when using the forked F is necessary to keep what you are playing smooth and free from knuckles. However, you can get around this by sliding from the Left Hand F to Left Hand E flat, sounds awkward but it is possible.
Work slowly, keep everything smooth and keep your fingers close to the keys.
One of my teachers did not allow any of the students in his studio to use Forked F and it was hard going at first, but practice is your ally in this battle and you will be able to do it.
Hope this helps.
