Introduction to Oboe and Bassoon
An Introduction Oboe and Bassoon
By Marie A Rogers
300005290
Woodwind Techniques 1
1010-1100
Mr. Robinson
The oboe is a soprano-range double reed instrument with a length of 62cm. Its wooden tube is distinguished by a conical bore that expands into a flaring bell. The modern oboe’s range extends from the B flat below middle C (b3 flat) to about 3 octaves higher (A6). The oboe has a very narrow conical bore. It is played with a double reed consisting of two thin blades of cane tied together on a small metal tube called a staple, which is inserted into the reed socket at the top of the instrument.
Traditionally made from African Blackwood, also called grenadilla, the instrument is made in 3 parts. The top joint has 10 or 11 holes, most of which are manipulated by the players left hand. The bottom joint also has 10 holes, which are predominately controlled by the right hand. The bell has 2 keys that are not used very much by the player.
Oboe History
The baroque oboe first appeared in the French court in the mid-17th century, where it was called “hautbois”. This name was also used for its predecessor, the shawm. The basic form of the hautbois was derived from the shawm. Major differences between the two instruments include division into 3 sections or joints, for the hautbois, and the elimination of the pirouette, a cup placed over the reed that enabled the shawm players to produce greater volume. The latter develop more than any other, was responsible for bringing the hautbois indoors where, thanks to its more refined sound and style of playing, it took up a permanent place in the orchestra.
Classical period brought upon an oboe whose bore was gradually narrowed, and the instrument became outfitted with several keys, among them were those for the notes D#, F, and G#. A key similar to the modern octave key was also added called the “slur key”. It was used more like the “flick” keys on the modern German Bassoon. Only later did French instrument
By Marie A Rogers
300005290
Woodwind Techniques 1
1010-1100
Mr. Robinson
The oboe is a soprano-range double reed instrument with a length of 62cm. Its wooden tube is distinguished by a conical bore that expands into a flaring bell. The modern oboe’s range extends from the B flat below middle C (b3 flat) to about 3 octaves higher (A6). The oboe has a very narrow conical bore. It is played with a double reed consisting of two thin blades of cane tied together on a small metal tube called a staple, which is inserted into the reed socket at the top of the instrument.
Traditionally made from African Blackwood, also called grenadilla, the instrument is made in 3 parts. The top joint has 10 or 11 holes, most of which are manipulated by the players left hand. The bottom joint also has 10 holes, which are predominately controlled by the right hand. The bell has 2 keys that are not used very much by the player.
Oboe History
The baroque oboe first appeared in the French court in the mid-17th century, where it was called “hautbois”. This name was also used for its predecessor, the shawm. The basic form of the hautbois was derived from the shawm. Major differences between the two instruments include division into 3 sections or joints, for the hautbois, and the elimination of the pirouette, a cup placed over the reed that enabled the shawm players to produce greater volume. The latter develop more than any other, was responsible for bringing the hautbois indoors where, thanks to its more refined sound and style of playing, it took up a permanent place in the orchestra.
Classical period brought upon an oboe whose bore was gradually narrowed, and the instrument became outfitted with several keys, among them were those for the notes D#, F, and G#. A key similar to the modern octave key was also added called the “slur key”. It was used more like the “flick” keys on the modern German Bassoon. Only later did French instrument
Bibliography: Langwill, Lyndesay Graham. The Bassoon and Contrabassoon. New York: W. W. Norton, 1965. Popkin, Mark. Bassoon Reed Making, rev. ed. Northfield, Ill.: Instrumentalist Co., 1987. Weait, Christopher. Bassoon Reed-Making: A Basic Technique. New York: McGinnis and Marx, 1970. Jansen, Will. The Bassoon: Its History, Construction, Makers, Players, and Music. Buren, The Netherlands: Frits Knuf, 1978. Joppig, Gunther. The Oboe and the Bassoon. Translated from the German by Alfred Clayton. Portland, Ore.: Amadeus Press, 1988.