Hi Guys,

I'm concerned this may seem an unusual question. A year or so ago I bought an oboe from Ebay, took it for repair and taught myself to play it. I'm currently at about grade 5/6 standard (although my stamina isn't so great; I struggle to hold an embouchure for an extended period of time). As such I'm getting to a stage where I want to play in an ensemble, this was my main reason for starting the oboe as getting in somewhere good is difficult for flautists in my area!

My problem is that the oboe I bought is actually quite old, much older than I thought. The repairer looked up its serial number, and it's in fact a 1913 Boosey & Hawkes Imperial oboe. I was told it was in good condition for its age and still played perfectly excluding the last two notes of the register. It's age means the oboe isn't tuned to A440, and is constantly flat (by almost a semitone). I'm in tune with myself, just not other people when I try to play with them!

I've tried taking more of the reed into my mouth when I play and this successfully makes the sound sharper to the extent I require, although the amount of reed I need to take to in to be in tune makes playing very uncomfortable for me. What I'm looking for is a particular cut of reed which will help to make the sound a lot sharper (I haven't gotten into reed making yet properly but it's something I'm planning on starting soon). I don't know any other oboists, and so I'm not really sure what to do. I've currently been getting my reeds from Britannia Reeds, using their Paris and, recently, their Viscount reeds.

If anyone has any solutions to this issue I'd be really appreciative of them!


Cheers,
Oscar

I solved this problem for myself by cutting a half inch off the cork end of the reed. It may work for you.

If the oboe is a 'Boosey & Hawkes' it cannot be from 1913 - Boosey and Hawkes only merged in about 1930! My guess it is likely to be from 1950s or -60s. What is the serial number?

Also if it is the age you say I would have expected that oboe to play about 1/4 tone sharp not flat. The pitch standard in UK was A = 452, rather than 440, until about 1930, in which case your best bet is to cut your losses & go for a more modern instrument. Doctoring reeds to change that amount is likely to throw out the internal tuning of the instrument - eg the octave C will rise much more than the bottom C.

However I get the impression that you are self taught & suspect that the problem could the amount (or lack) of air support you are giving. Playing the oboe is quite different to the flute - quite high pressure is needed with small air flow. I suggest you track down a good teacher or oboist to give the instrument a real test & offer you guidance even if you are not able to have regular lessons.

Where in UK are you based? I might be able to help with suggestions. Do email me privately if you wish.

Good luck.

Ian

(Woodwind repairer Oxford)

Thanks for the replies.

There are two serial numbers on the instrument. It's a bit of a mysterious thing really, the seller told me that the oboe appeared with his family in the Czech Republic about 20 years ago. As to it's history before then it's also rather unclear - when I cleaned it up a bit I discovered an admiralty pattern in two places on the bore. One of the numbers is 6563 and I think this is associated with the admiralty pattern. A smaller serial number on the middle bore is 87185.

I was told the manufacturing year on the phone, so now that you've mentioned that I may have misheard 1930 as 1913...

I think you could be correct that the issue is poor air support on my part, but it seems odd that its almost exactly a semi-tone flat and I can play in tune with myself throughout most of the register. I'll try the first suggestion of cutting the cork on one of my reeds and see if this helps. I'm based up north in Yorkshire.


Thanks very much for the replies,
Oscar

I suggest a visit to Peter Davies in Huddersfield (last known number 01484 533053). He is an expert oboe technician.

He was the man who helped me repair the instrument when I first bought it! I will contact him again as you suggest.


Thanks for the replies,
Oscar

I've checked my serial number list which indicates 87185 was made c1953.

Ian