Oboe Care and Maintenance
Adam’s Music rents oboes for musicians from beginners to professionals. We have a wide range of rental instruments suitable for players at any level, and for all budgets. No matter how much your rental instrument costs, Adam’s Music ensures it is in good working order before you take it home. Use these handy care and maintenance tips to keep your oboe looking and sounding great.
Assembly
Connect the bell
Apply cork oil to the cork before beginning assembly. Depress the bell key and gently connect the bell to the lower joint. This will raise the bridge key, so the two sections can be properly aligned. Gently join the two sections until there is no cork showing.
Connect the lower and upper sections
Again, apply cork oil to the visible cork section before assembly. Then connect the lower and upper joints.
Insert the reed
Apply cork oil. Then hold the connected sections of the oboe firmly in one hand and gently insert the reed assembly into the reed socket. Adjust the reed assembly as needed to tune the instrument.
Disassembly
Remove the reed
Gently pull the reed from the reed socket. Remove any excess moisture from the reed and store in a reed protector.
Separate the upper and lower tubes
Press the bridge keys on the upper joint while you separate the upper and lower joints by gently turning and pulling.
Remove the bell
Detach the bell from the lower joint by depressing the bell key and gently pulling. Turn the bell while pulling to help uncouple the two sections.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Clean the oboe body sections
After every use, clean your oboe by pulling a cleaning swab through each body section. This will remove any excess moisture that builds up on the inside of your oboe. This is essential to ensure your instrument remains in tip-top shape.
Wipe the exterior of the oboe
Use a soft cloth to remove fingerprints and dirt from the body and keys. Don't apply too much pressure to the keys or rod system while cleaning. This can damage the oboe.
Remove moisture from the key pads
Take a clean cloth and gently run it between the key and key pad. Key pads will deteriorate over time if not properly maintained.
Be Careful !
The oboe is a delicate instrument and can be damaged by moderate temperature changes and improper maintenance. It’s not designed to function properly if neglected or mistreated. Here are some dos and don’ts of proper oboe care:
- Remove excess moisture from the inside of the oboe after every use
- Use cork grease during assembly
- Allow your instrument to adjust to room temperature before playing
- Always keep your oboe in its case when not in use
- Don't force pieces pieces together during assembly or apart during disassembly
- Don't use vaseline instead of cork grease
- Don't expose your oboe to extreme temperature or humidity
- Don't try to fix stuck or broken parts yourself
If There's a Problem
Adam’s Music wants you to enjoy your oboe. These maintenance and care tips will help keep your oboe in top playing shape. If you have a problem with your instrument, don’t try to fix it yourself. Contact Adam’s Music for instructions. We’re your friendly neighborhood music store in West Los Angeles.
Click here for a printable PDF version of the Adam’s Music Oboe Care and Maintenance Page