Books › The instruments of the modern orchestra & early records of the precursors of the violin family, with over 500 illustrations and plates;, 1910 › scan 60
Scan 60
The instruments of the modern orchestra & early records of the precursors of the violin family, with over 500 illustrations and plates;, 1910
12 lines. Read by computer on 29 August 2026. Printed page 12. See the scan on archive.org.
1octave. The oboe possesses notes sufficient for an octave or more with chromatic intervals. The next octaves are obtained by means of cross fingering and of the octave keys, which do not give out an independent note of their own, but determine a node in the column of air, and so raise the pitch of any other note played an octave.
3Compass.—The compass of the oboe is from:
5The treble clef is used in notation.
7The oboe is a non-transposing instrument which sounds the real notes written.
9Quality of Tone.—If the reader wishes to distinguish the oboe speaking in the orchestra, let him bear in mind the quality of the E string on the violin; that will assist him in hearing the oboe. The quality of the tone is very penetrating (it can be distinctly singled out in a full orchestra playing forte) and rather shrill in the upper register, the lower being, though thin, sweeter and more like that of the cor anglais. The quality does not otherwise vary much in the different registers. On account of this want of variety in tone and colour, it is not a favourite solo instrument. In the orchestra, it is invaluable as a melody-leading instrument, balanced by clarinets and flutes. It is especially suitable for pastoral music.
11Possibilities.—It is possible to play on this instrument, diatonic and chromatic scale and arpeggio passages, legato and staccato; leaps (staccato only); cantabile passages, sustained notes, diminuendo and crescendo; grace notes and shakes (with reservations). Keys with many flats are the most difficult for the oboe player.
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