First, I believe C3 is the C one ledger line below the treble stave. (That's the way it is on piano.) C4 would be the C note near the middle of the stave. Do I have that right for oboe?

My question is regarding fingering of D4 and Eb4 (the ones at the top of the stave). I can get the same pitch using the L1 half hole fingering or L1 full stop with the octave key. (The octave key is the one I hit with my left thumb...)

F4 and G4 (and it looks like all the way up to C5) use the octave key with a L1 full stop.

If I can get the same pitch and seemingly similar tone using the octave key, and eliminate some of the finger dancing going from A up through F using half hole fingering, why shouldn't I go that route?

Thanks!

Don't know.....will try what you did and get back to you.

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Btw is your Oboe a semi-automatic or full automatic instrument?

Because past Ab i.e. A-C you're supposed to use the side Octave key. Is why I asked the first question...

Well I just tried with the d and Eb with the octave and noticed that the pitches were sharper and a lot stuffier. And the notes were rather unstable (with Octave Key), I tried to diminuendo to pp but just got harmonics on my Oboe. So that's why you half-hole on the Oboe xD.

Thanks for trying it. I'll continue practicing the half hole fingerings. That's what's in the book...

I have a Selmer 1492b. I researched before buying and it was recommended on several sites as a good instrument to buy for students. The Selmer site sez nothing about automatic or semi automatic. How can I tell the difference?

So the high A - C use the octave key on the side of the instrument. That makes sense now! It is actually exactly what the fingering chart shows. (I read it wrong...)

My oboe has half holes available on the L2, L3, and R2 keys. I don't see any fingerings in my basic method chart that requires half hole fingerings on those keys. When are they used?

Thanks!

automatic = just thumb octave key
semi-automatic = thumb octave and side Octave key

And do u mean there are just holes in the keys?

The answer to the half-holing question normally, never. But you can manipulate the pitch if you want for fun or jazz or something.....

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only time you will half hole is for D and Eb.

You also half hole on C# (middle of the staff) and high D, Eb, E, and F above high C (2 leger lines/3rd octave)

My Selmer has thumb and side octave keys, so it is semi-automatic. Thanks for the explanation.

Yes, I have holes in the L2, L3, and R2 keys. (Left hand middle and ring fingers and right hand middle finger.) Sounds like their use as well beyond the realm of normal diatonic playing (?). Certainly nothing I need to worry about for a while.

Thanks!

I on ever use the L1 half hole, like ever other oboe player and sometimes on high D's (3rd oct D) I'll use the press down the D ring without covering the hole. Other than that I've never used the other open keys.

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I like my grammar, "I'll use the press down the D ring" should be I'll press down the D ring"