The Oboe Parts You Need To Know
Introduction To Oboe Parts
Oboe parts are the various components that come together to make the woodwind instrument.
This article will focus on different parts of oboes as we have them in modern construction of the instrument.
Knowing all about the oboe parts is one of the key aspects of learning oboe’s playing.
Typically, anybody that wants to play any instrument should know various parts of the instrument. Likewise, Oboe parts should be known to anybody that wants to play the double reed instrument.
Knowing the Oboe parts will help the player to understand how the instrument is designed and built.
It will also help to know the function of each part and how to use them to play the instrument effectively.
Moreover, the player will know how to remove each part of the instrument easily as well replace it.
Lastly, it will help the player to know how to properly maintain the instrument and take good care of it.
So in this article, we will clearly look into different parts of the modern or conservatory oboe. However, we will, first of all, discuss the oboe as a musical instrument briefly.
The Oboe
The Oboe is one of the old instruments we have around. This woodwind is a versatile double-reed instrument with a wooden cylindrical body and metal keys.
The old model of the instrument was designed with a few metal keys but the modern oboe has several metal keys attached to its body.
In Oboe and History Behind the Double Reed Instrument, we have discussed the history of the oboe. The article was detailed in How the Oboe transformed from ancient time to what we have in modern Oboe.
Oboe is one of the prominent instruments in the orchestra with a distinct and clear tone. This woodwind instrument is typically known for its clear and penetrating sound.
Actually, people mistake another reed instrument called clarinet for Oboe. Although the two instruments somehow look alike physically. But they are different in reed system and bore.
The Oboe is a double reed and conical bore instrument while Clarinet is a single reed and cylindrical bore instrument.
Moreover, the key system on Oboe is more complex compared to the key system on the clarinet.
You can learn more about the instrument in one of our articles about the oboe here.
Parts of The Oboe
The oboe is a woodwind instrument made up of different parts that can be coupled together.
Typically, oboe parts are in three sections. However, with the reed, we can say parts of the oboe are in four sections. The four sections are the reed, the upper joint, the lover joint, and the bell.
The diagram we have above shows different sections of the oboe part. Also, it shows different parts we have in each section.
Cork components known as tenons are used to connect one section to another. The connection using tenons ensures a very airtight plug between the two sections, the upper and lower joint for instance.
Every part of the instrument has its functionality and is very important. Every part contributes to the overall functionality of the instrument.
If any of the oboe parts is missing, the instrument will not function very well or will not function at all.
Also, every part of the oboe must be correctly linked and fit together as well aligned accurately. Failure to do this may result in difficulty playing some notes on the oboe.
Moreover, there are several smaller units on the instrument that work jointly together to produce the desired tone and pitch on the oboe.
Therefore, every part of the oboe must be properly taken care of and maintained very well for the instrument to function effectively.
Now, let us look into different sections of the oboe part one by one and learn the oboe part from reed to the bell.
The Oboe Reed
Oboe reed is the most delicate and important part of the oboe. Oboe uses a double reed for its sound production and without the double reed, nobody can play the instrument.
Oboe’s double reeds are two pieces of thin materials, majorly bamboo cane known as Arundo donax. Another material used is synthetic plastic material especially for student oboe.
The thin carved canes are placed face-to-face with their half-length around the staple tightened together with a thread.
So when the player applies air pressure between the canes and also lips vibration, the cane piece will vibrate together.
The vibration then creates standing sound waves within the inner cavity of the oboe.
The double reed of the instrument is the same as the mouthpiece in flute and other brass instruments.
The reed has a great impact on the tone quality of the instrument. If the reed is not properly made or has been damaged, the sound coming out from the instrument will be affected.
This is not limited to the tone quality of the instrument but also the pitch of the note.
Most professional oboists prefer to make their reeds instead of buying them to have control over the oboe’s sound.
The process of making the oboe reed is discussed briefly in the post with the link.
Many student oboists will need to buy their own reed because of the difficulty in making the quality reed.
The Staple
The staple is the base of the oboe reed that facilitates the connection of the reed to the body of the instrument.
The oboist attached their reeds to the staple with the thread. Typically, oboists learn how to properly tie the reeds to the stable when making their own reed.
This is part of the oboe reed and majorly comes with the reeds. Generally, the staple is a metal (usually, Silver, Brass, or Gold) tube covered with cork materials.
The cork material allows the oboe staple to key very well into the reed well or reed socket at the upper section of the instrument.
However, some modern oboe staples come with a full metal body and some O-Rings to create the air seal with the reed socket. This type of oboe staple is known as ‘cork-less’ oboe staples.
Basically, the staple of the oboe allows airflow and vibration from the reed to enter the main body of the instrument. The staple is sometimes called bocal as we have it on Bosson.
Also, the staple just like the reed can impact the nature of the sound produced by the oboe. This depends majorly on the material used for the oboe staple as well as its size and shape.
The Body of Oboe
The body of the instrument is used to control the vibration from the reed. It has several keys attached to open and close the tone hole to manipulate the instrument tones and give them pitch.
Specifically, the body manipulates the pitch of the tone coming from the reed’s vibration. This is done by changing the length of the air column vibrating inside the conical tube along the instrument’s body.
As the keys of the oboe are closed or open, the length of the vibrating air column changes and so does the pitch of the reed’s tone.
The oboe body is in three parts and all the parts consist of attached keys and bore. The three parts are the upper joint, lower joint, and bell.
All of the three-part are joined together with a cork and tenon system to form the air-tight seal.
The Upper Joint Of The Oboe
The upper joint is the part of the oboe with the reed well that the oboe reed is attached to.
It is the shortest joint of the tube and the oboist holds this part with the left hand.
This Upper joint of the oboe consists of a reed well or socket at the upper side and a cork for the tenon connection at the lower side.
It also consists of the first and second octave keys which are special keys on oboe for the octave ranges.
In addition, the Upper joint contains the rod system, home keyholes, and several finger keys. This part of the oboe is between the reed and the lower joint.
The key on the upper joint is just a little bit smaller than the one on the lower joint. There are some side keys
There is also a bridge key at the back of the upper joint that connects it to the rest of the instrument.
The Octave Key
The octave key is located at the upper joint of the oboe. This key helps us to change which octave or register we are playing in.
The octave keys on the oboe are almost the same thing as the register key we have on the clarinet in its functionality.
But the octave key on the oboe changes the pitch of a note to the actual octave. It is not like the register key on the clarinet that changes the pitch of a tone by different intervals.
There are two octave keys on most of the modern oboe. However, we still have some oboe with three octave keys.
Most oboe with the two octave keys can produce tones with the pitch that ranges from E5 to G#5 and A5 to C6.
With the octave keys, the player will find it easier to produce tones that are one or two octaves higher without changing the fingering.
The octave key is a very important part of the oboe as it extends the range of notes that the oboe can play.
However, some modern oboes were constructed in such a way that oboists don’t need a separate key to play the octave.
The First and Second Octave Keys
This first octave key on the oboe can be found directly under the thumb of the left hand. In particular, it is used to play octave of E5 to G#5 ranges.
The second octave key is the key above the front keys on the upper joint of the oboe. The second octave key is used to play the note in the A5 to C6 range.
The left index finger is normally used to play the second octave key on the oboe.
The Lower Joint Of The Oboe
The lower joint of the oboe connects to the upper joint and the bell. This section or part is slightly longer than the upper joint.
The oboist will hold the lower joint of the instrument with the right hand for proper fingering.
The bottom side of the lower joint is slightly wider as a result of the conical shape of its bore.
Just like the upper joint, there are several keys and rod systems attached to the lower joint as well. This part of the body also has several tone holes.
Specifically, there are keys called little finger keys that somehow stick up on the top side of the lower joint. These keys are also known as pinkie keys.
Moreover, there are bridge keys on the lower joint that go and align with the upper joint.
And also a thumb rest at the backside of the lower joint. The right-hand thumb goes to the thumb rest so the instrument can rest on that thumb.
Note that keys on the lower joint are a little bit bigger than they are on the upper joint. And, there are more keys on the lower joint and lots of rods as well.
Parts Of The Oboe Body
The body of the oboe consists of the part that is common to different parts of the body.
For instance, we have a bridge key on the upper joint, lower joint, and also on the bell. Also, almost every part of the body has the key rod system as a tone hole.
So, in this section, we will look into those parts like bridge keys, keys, and rod system, as well as the bore.
The Bridge Keys
The bridge key is common to every part of the oboe except the reed which is not part of the instrument body.
Both upper and lower joints of the oboe have the bridge key that ensures that all the part of the instrument tube is properly aligned.
The bell also has its own bridge key that connects it in proper alignment with the lower joint.
The bridge keys are very delicate and needed to be opened to properly align them when assembling the instrument.
The instrument is in correct alignment when the two bridge keys on each joint are properly matched up with one another.
Tone Holes
Typically, an oboe has 23/24 tone holes on its body. This tone hole allows the manipulation of sound.
The tone holes are closed with the attached pads/cork on the key levers known as keypads.
Some of the pads are made from fish skin or cattle intestine just like pads on the clarinet and some from the natural cork.
The oboe keypads are made in such a way that they completely seal the tone hole when needed.
The Keys and Rod System
Both the upper joint and lower joint of the oboe have complex key work attached to their body.
These keys are used by the oboe player to make notes of the different pitches by closing and opening the tone holes with the keys.
Specifically, the key system on the musical instrument is more compact compared to other wind instruments like the flute of the clarinet.
The instrument key system makes it very easy for any size of fingers to access the keys. Because players do not use their fingers directly to open or close the tone holes.
To close or open a tone hole on the woodwind instrument, there is a complex network of intertwining rods system steered by the finger keys.
The finger keys drive the instrument rod system which in turn activates the keypad to open or close the tone holes.
When the tone holes are opened or closed with the keypads, the air column vibrating inside the instrument changes in length.
As a result, the instrument reed passes vibration to the body of the instrument and produces a note of different pitches.
Some of the oboe keys like octave keys and pinkie keys are specifically for certain functions that enhance the note production of the instrument.
The Bore
The body of the oboe is bored from the upper joint to the bell. The woodwind instrument bore is typically a conical structure and reflects in the outer shape of the instrument body.
The bore passes through the body of the instrument and connects the staple, upper joint, lower joint, and bell together.
The bore is not just the long and hollow tube of wood, but a major determinant of the sound quality produced by the instrument.
The material used for the bore also contributes to how “rich” or “dark” the instrument sounds. And in oboe making, wooden material is considered to have the best sound quality compared to plastic material.
Also, the bore contains a column of air that allows the vibration from the reed to pass into the body of the instrument.
The Bell
The bell is the fourth and last part of the double reed instrument and is located at the lower end of the instrument.
The bell is directly attached to the lower joint of the oboe and the final sound of the instrument comes out of it.
Most oboe for the professional has one key on the side of the bell to cover the tone hole. This will allow the oboist to play the lowest note on the instrument.
But generally, the oboes for beginners or student oboists do not come with the bell key. Also, there is a bridge key on the bell which connects to and aligns with the bridge key on the lower joint.
In addition, the bell of the double reed instrument is somewhat flared and thicker and we have different bell sizes.
The bell contributes to sound quality as related to the projection and tone.
In particular, the bell extends the resonance of the sound-produced by the oboe thus contributing to the sound amplification of the instrument.
This can be felt in the depth and fullness of the sound when the bell is attached to the instrument.
Also, the bell helps in balancing the tone of the sound produced by the oboe as the sound is leaving the instrument.
However, the length and weight of the bell, as well as its flare, can affect the final sound produced by the instrument.
Final Thought
The parts of the oboe from the reed, upper joint, lower joint to the bell are actually easy to understand.
Noticeably, each joint has an end with a cork and without cork.
These are the indicators as to how each joint needs to be connected together. And with the help of a bridge key, the alignment of the instrument is easy to achieve.
However, every part of the oboe has a purpose and is important to the overall function of the instrument. In fact, the smallest part like the cork or screw must be in a good state for the instrument to function optimally.
If any of the parts are not well arranged, fixed, faulty, or missing, the instrument performance will be seriously affected. Or the instrument will not even be playable at all.
Therefore, every part of the instrument must be present, well-aligned, and in good condition, for the instrument to produce a great sound and respond properly to playing.
At Phamox Music, we go all out for exactness and honesty. For this purpose, if by any means you found any possible glitch, be it factual, editorial or something that we need to update, kindly contact us.
