Chapter 5: Expanding Your Note Knowledge
IN THIS LESSON:
Learn how to use the half-hole on the Oboe.
Learn these half-hole notes on the Oboe (all fingering charts by Fox Products).
Half-hole D and E-flat
Practice Check!
Before going on, practice this exercise at least 3 times to get comfortable with these new notes!
Half-hole
Slightly roll and slide your finger until the hole is fully open.
The next two notes are played by using a technique called “half-hole”. First let’s learn what that is.
The half-hole on the oboe is where you cover only half of the first finger on your left hand.
To start find the first finger key on the left hand, and note that it has a teardrop shape on the bottom of it.
If you move your finger to only cover this portion of the key, you will be “half-holeing” the first finger key.
To do this motion, think about slightly rolling AND slightly sliding your finger to open the hole on the first finger key. Practice this motion a few times on your own before continuing.
Once you understand the motion, continue on to learn two new notes that incorporate this technique.
Half-hole D
Half-hole E-flat
For now, learn the fingering on the left, as it is the preferred fingering. The alternate fingering on the right can be learned at a later time. It is used if you are playing E-flat before or after Db/C#.