[WWFan]

Question for those of you who play in musicals...

Oboes are notoriously easy to crack when played cold, which is why oboe players are picky about keeping their instruments warm while not playing. During musicals however, sometimes an oboe can sit unused on a stand for an hour or more and then need to be played immediately. How do you deal with this situation?

• Always cut out a few minutes of music beforehand to warm it up?
• Some kind of heating device?
• Just chance it and start playing?
• Use synthetic oboes?

I'm picking up the oboe now and this one has me stumped. I have to make too many cold switches on my piccolo right now, and it freaks me out every time, even when I get 20 bars or so to put a little heat into it.

 

[bandmommy]

There is no need to panic about cracking your oboe in a pit situation. My middle daughter has been doing it for YEARS and her oboe is crack free. She only worries about being flat for the first few measures.
If the pit is warm enough for you to sit comfortably wearing a dress shirt, it's warm enough for your instrument.

 

[hakukani]

Get a Fox oboe with a resin top joint.

 

[ericdano]

You put marks in the part telling yourself to prepare for oboe. Like soak reed, warm oboe, etc.

All you really need to do is put it in your lap or warm it by holding the top joint.

It is however way way way more important to keep it swabbed. You need to be religiously swabbing the oboe when you are done playing it, especially if it is going to sit for a while.

A plastic oboe.....you can do whatever....they are like cockroaches and will play in all sorts of hazardous pit conditions.

If you are concerned about it, then use a plastic oboe. Especially if you are beginning. You don't need a 3k+ wood oboe.

 

[Graysax]

If the temperature is above 65 degrees - you should have nothing to worry about (other than being in tune). That being said, a friend of mine did crack his clarinet in a cold pit once. It was a cement floor and the temperature on the floor was much colder than the room.

General rule of thumb is to ask yourself is the value of your instrument worth taking the risk. In 90% of all situations you should be in a safe situation. for the other 10% - be clear with whoever is running the show that pit temp should be something to worry about. Other than that get a small personal space heater. If the sound guys complain about the hum - then you got one more group of people trying to help you get heat n the pit.

 

[jaysne]

The Altieri company makes "cozies" for these situations. They're basically long, insulated socks that you can stick over your horn when you're not playing it. It helps to keep it at the same temperature it as when you last blew into it.

I have one for my oboe and clarinet and have used them in cold pits with good results.

http://www.altieribags.com/ww_accessories.html

 

[WWFan]

Thanks for the info all. It sounds like I would need to just take the same basic precautions as I do with my wooden pic.

 

[Chris Peryagh]

The biggest problem you'll face is keeping your reeds wet and responsive as you won't be able to crow them during a performance if they've been sat dormant for a duration.

Have reeds you know are easy players on standby to avoid low notes not speaking and after the initial soaking, dip them in your water pot to collect a drop of water between the blades as that will keep them moist but not waterlogged. Fill your water pot with hot water as that activates reeds faster.

When you have time during long dialogues, mop out your instruments and make sure the 8ve vents are clear of water (do the suck/blow thing on the top joint only to clear them).

If the pit is on the chilly or draughty side (if the stage door is constantly being opened for cast members popping outside for a crafty cigarette or twenty), keep the top joint warm by wrapping it up in a flannel and held under your arm (or in both hands if you're not playing). For cor, keep the crook warm by holding it in your hnd or kept in your trouser pocket until you need to use it so you've still got some chance of things being up to pitch.

But be sure if you do buy a new all-wood oboe, buy it in spring so it's well played in by the time winter sets in as that will reduce the risk of cracking - playing a brand new instrument in cold and low humidity conditions (which most halls often are) is asking for trouble.

 

[wesbrow]

Originally from Minneapolis, when I can, I've always kept my oboe, English horn, A clarinet, or Bb clarinet on my lap rather than on a stand, getting a little warmth from my body. Alternately, I've kept my instrument under my coat when I can. Some people say that putting an oboe on a stand develops water trails in the bore that result in water in the octave holes, which I've never had..