Oboe Lesson: Half Hole Fingering
VIDEO FOR PERFECT HALF HOLE TECHNIQUE
Welcome back to the One Minute Oboe Lesson Blog! Today's video shows how to have perfect half hole technique. (See "More Tips" below for an introduction on the half hole key and when to use it.) Teachers often advise either to slide or roll the index finger. Actually, for the most fluid technique, both schools of thought are partially correct. Sliding feels a bit stiff, but rolling introduces a rotating motion that is not easily combined with the straight motion of the thumb to the octave key. (For example, moving from D to E.) The secret is to make a smooth parallel motion with your index finger and thumb when moving from the half hole to the low octave key. Practice this motion in a mirror without playing. Make sure that there is not any wasted movement and the two fingers are working together!
More tips for beginners:
Half hole notes are C#, D, and Eb
Thumb octave notes are E natural through G# (Ab)
Try D with the thumb octave instead of the half hole and listen to the tone and pitch difference from the half hole - it will be sharp and thin sounding.
Do the reverse with E - the half hole will change the tone and pitch.
AVOID THESE COMMON ERRORS AND IMPROVE FASTER! BEST WISHES!