One
of the key differences between the oboe and the clarinet, which the oboe is
sometimes mistaken for, is the type of bore used. The clarinet has a
cylindrical bore, while the oboe has a conical one. This accounts for a large
part of the difference in tone between the two instruments.
Oboes
come apart into five main sections: reed, staple, upper joint, lower joint and
bell. These pieces must be fitted together in precise alignment for proper
playing to be possible.
To
be the best you can be at playing the oboe, you should know all of the usual
names of the parts of the oboe and what function they perform. You should also
know how individual oboe parts can be removed and replaced, how oboe parts
should be serviced and maintained and what to do if you think a part of your
student oboe is damaged or broken.
YOU CAN ALSO READ:- Oboe
Let's
learn about the anatomy of a typical oboe from end to end. If you'd like to
jump ahead, use the anatomy chart above to click a part you'd like to read
about first.
The Bell
The
bell is the last of five sections of the oboe, and it is where the oboe's
finished tone emerges from the instrument. It is located at the bottom end of
the oboe and comes in an almost infinite selection of lengths, flares, weights,
bores and more. Be very careful when carrying the oboe out of the case or
holding it at rest. You need to be sure the bell does not bump against
something and become damaged. The bell is where sound waves emerge from the
oboe.
The Lower Joint
The
upper and lower joints are where all the keys, rods and tone holes are located
that create different pitches depending on what combination of keys are
pressed. These parts' conical bore inside help give the oboe its distinctive,
piercing tone. The lower joint is the fourth of five sections and leads to the
bell.
The Upper Joint
The
upper and lower joints are where all the keys, rods and tone holes are located
that create different pitches depending on what combination of keys are
pressed. The upper joint also includes two special keys that are used to
activate two different octave ranges, known as the first octave key and the
second octave key. The upper joint is the third of five sections and is found
between the staple and lower joint.
The First Octave Key
Most
oboes have two of octave keys, though some have three. If there are two, the
keys produce pitches in the ranges of E5 to G#5 and A5 to C6. The first octave
key is used to access the former range and is located under the left hand
thumb. Some modern oboes have innovations in their keywork that allow the
player to produce octaves without the use of a separate octave key. The octave
keys allow the player to produce tones one or two octaves higher using the same
fingering.
The Second Octave Key
Most
oboes have two of octave keys, though some have three. If there are two, the
key produces pitches in the ranges of E5 to G#5 and A5 to C6. The second octave
key, which covers the latter range, is located above the front keys and played
with the left index finger. Some modern oboes have innovations in their keywork
that allow the player to produce octaves without the use of a separate octave
key. The octave keys allow the player to produce tones one or two octaves
higher using the same fingering.
The Finger Keys
The
upper and lower joints of the oboe are crisscrossed by a complex network of
rods that are driven by the finger keys. The keys turn the rods and the rods in
turn place or remove tiny covers over the tone holes to produce different
tones. 
The
oboe also has two distinctive extra keys called "octave keys" which
perform a similar function to the register key on a clarinet. However, the
octave keys change the pitch by an exact octave, while register keys might
change the pitch by different intervals. Both of the octave keys are located on
the upper joint.
The
finger keys activate a rod system that covers and uncovers tone holes to
produce different pitches of the scale.
The Staple
The
staple is more than just a connecting element between the reed and the body of
the oboe. The shape, size and materials used to create the staple can have a
profound effect on the overall tone of the oboe.
The
staple is sometimes called a bocal, as it is somewhat similar to the bocal used
on the bassoon to hold its double reed. The staple directs air and lip
vibrations from the player into the oboe.
The Reed
The
reed is actually made of two pieces of cane held tightly together and placed
into the oboe's staple. When the player applies air pressure and lip vibration,
the cane piece vibrate together and create standing sound waves within the
inner cavity of the oboe.
Many
experienced players make their own reeds, personally sourcing the cane as well
as cutting and scraping it to meet their exact specifications. The personality
of the reed can factor large in the resulting tone of the oboe. The oboe's
double reed design converts the player's lip vibrations into sound waves.
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