The oboe is a musical instrument that gives such a lovely sound when played and as such requires proper maintenance. It is essential to clean it after use to keep dirt from accumulating. Moisture is also among the factors that affect the oboe. Variation in moisture levels can affect the performance of the oboe especially when taken out for a musical play. The following are tips that will help you take care of the oboe before and after use so you can make it last longer and sound nice when played alongside other instruments.
Cleaning the oboe
Before putting away the oboe, you need to swab it well enough to ensure there is no room for dirt buildup in the tone holes and bore. Swabbing the oboe also helps clear away moisture. Every time you take the oboe outside, it changes temperature and if moisture is not controlled, it may spell problems for the instrument. When moisture expands and contracts in the bore, it may cause cracking hence damaging the instrument. Therefore, you should use always use a pull-through swab to carefully clean the oboe and get rid of moisture. In a case where the swab gets stuck in the bore and you are unable to remove it, you can take it to a repair shop for musical instruments in Perth.
Dealing with water in tone holes
Sometimes water may end up in the tone holes of the oboe. Ideally, you can use cigarette paper to get rid of the water as it is such an effective material. There is a rule of thumb that can help you identify the exact spot of water in the instrument. Whenever you hear a gurgle note when playing the oboe, water is actually in the next tone hole. To soak up the moisture, place the cigarette paper under the key.
Thorough cleaning involves tearing the instrument apart so you can place the cigarette paper under the key, finger holes and the covered end. During this cleaning process, air is blown through the bore. When the key continually gets water, it is an indication of a dirty pad and tone hole. You need to pay attention to the two octave keys of the oboe as they frequently accumulate water. They should be cleaned after using the instrument.
Maintaining the oboe
Apply some oil or cork grease on the reed corks and tenons for easy assembly. This helps prevent keys from bending and reeds from breaking. In case the reeds are too thick, you can sand them with recommended sandpaper. After playing the oboe for a long time, the rods are likely to work their way loose. You can use a screwdriver to put them back in place. Loose rods are also an indication of dirt in the oboe. Need oilers, found in the oboe stores, are used for application of key oil to enable the oboe to perform efficiently. You can use a soft brush to dust the underside keys of the oboe. You can also use a soft cloth to wipe the keys after using the instrument. It is an effective way of keeping the oboe clean.