Things to Consider Before Investing in Oboe Insurance

The oboe is just one part of the maintenance that you need to invest in for the instrument. The reed is the most important part of the instrument. Reeds are known to be temperamental and is one of the most variable components of the instrument. You need to make the right choice while considering a reed for your oboe so that there are no obstructions faced while playing it.

You should ideally try the reed before you complete the purchase so that you know exactly what you are investing in. here are a few tips that have been curated to make your reed purchase easy.

• Reeds have a short life-span, typically two weeks of daily use. Replacing these reeds can be quite expensive and cumbersome. There are the commercial and professional reeds. The commercial ones are adequate for beginners and are available in the range $8-$12 and the professional reeds cost anywhere between $13 and $18. The professional reeds last longer and are better compared to the commercial reeds, and are used by most professionals.

• The reeds can be classified according to the strength- soft, medium and hard. The soft ones require less air and the opening collapses under pressure. The other two strengths need to be scraped before using, and can be used in a more professional setting. They tend to vibrate more freely as compared to the soft reed. Try to start with soft reeds before you move on to medium reeds

• The wire wrapped around the base of the reed can also tell you how good or bad the reed is. The long narrow shape of the reed allows you to keep the blades open. The wires make the reed soft for playing, which allows the opening to collapse. So the wire needs to hold the opening in a tight form for you to make sure the reed works. This means you need to consider the wire wrapping when buying the reed

• The blades tend to overlap along the reed. If there is a tape along the base, there is a leak in the reed. So look for reeds that exist with an asymmetrical opening

These are just a few things you ought to consider when buying a reed. However, you simply cannot ignore the Oboe insurance as that will not just protect your instrument but also you as the oboist.

It helps you ensure any cracks in the reed do not cause you to empty the pockets. You simply need to use the insurance and get someone who can repair it for you. The idea is to buy insurance that covers both the oboe and the reeds. Instead of spending a lot of money in replacing the reeds, the insurance will help you get the reeds repaired or repaired well within the budget.

It is ideal to research your provider before you actually lock one. It is a good idea to look for providers who have experience and extend their cover to the reeds

How Bassoon Insurance Helps You Maintain The Instrument?

Are you a bassoonist? Do you face several issues while taking care of your instrument or maintaining it? Well, it is quite normal and after our discussion with several bassoonists, we have concluded that there is a remedy for all your problems. As part of this article, we will not only discuss the problems you face with the instrument but also come up with solutions for your problems.

Common issues faced by Bassoonist

• Response Issue
  When the bassoonist is tense, the throat, jaw, and lips tend to tighten. This can cause issues with registering a response in the lower jaw. The response issue can also occur if the reed is closed or resistant or there are leaks in the instrument.

• Issues with the notes
  If the player does not cover the right holes in the instrument or the keys are not finely tuned, the response may not be the same. You may register low response along with high notes if the player puts in too much of pressure along the tip of the reed. Incorrect fingering or leaving the holes half closed along high G can also be possible causes.

• Cracking issues
  If you are playing the middle register from F# you may face this issue. This is the breaking line for the bassoon. There are two possible solutions in this case. Half-holing of the F#, G, and Ab as well as flicking of the A, Bb, C and D.

Top Tips to Manage the Bassoon
As a bassoonist, you should be aware of the basic tips that can help you manage and maintain the instrument. Here we will take you through some of these tips

• The F# hole notes are completely different from the G half-hole. As a bassoonist, you need to ensure that there is a separate opening for both the notes

• You should always roll down the left hand's index finger along the opening

• The whisper key should always be placed along the half-hole

• Finally, you should vent the specific wing-joint keys that can assist you with some of the notes.

It is not only important that you follow these basic tips, but also important that you maintain the instrument and be responsive towards the various issues you face with the instrument. However, what is a good idea, is to own the bassoon insurance that will save you from spending a lot of money behind getting the instrument repaired or replacing the instrument. Here are a few tips that should help you choose the bassoon insurance.

Choosing the bassoon insurance

• Go online! There are several providers ready with the perfect insurance solution for your needs. You should ideally research them, and identify what sort of solutions they can offer, before going ahead with them

• Find out their experience and identify the past solutions they have offered. Check out how they have dealt with the customers, and how soon they pass the claims. This will help you know whether or not they are able enough to provide for your needs

• Finally, you need to check on the budget of the insurance premium and whether it matches what you have kept aside.

Tips on How to Care for Your Piccolo

Along with learning how to play the instrument, it is equally important for you to know how to maintain the instrument. This is typically true for the piccolo. There is an entire process that you need to follow before you can hope for a healthy life of the instrument.

There are a few tips, if followed perfectly, will help you keep the instrument intact. Of course, it is also a good idea to invest in a Piccolo insurance for the long life of the instrument and also to save your pockets.

Assembling the instrument
Extreme care needs to be established while you are processing the assembly of your instrument. Here's how you can assemble the instrument with perfection

• You will first need to be sure that the tenon cork is smooth and lubricate. You ought to use the cork grease for the purpose. The reason being this lubrication will ensure smooth and easy fit of the cork in the instrument

• Next on, you ought to hold the wood above the assembly mechanism and the headjoint from below the embouchure hole in order to piece them together. Twist the two in order to make the fix properly. Make sure you don't insert the finger while putting the two together

• Make sure you don't apply too much pressure while joining the two ends. If you are unable to squeeze them together, then connect with a professional

Cleaning the instrument
Now that you know how to assemble the instrument, the next step is to make sure that the instrument is clean. Here are the techniques to help maintain the cleanliness of the instrument.

• Use a silk oboe swab connected with a string, and use the weight to remove the condensation from within the instrument

• You should ideally perform the swabbing after every use of the instrument. This way you will increase the life of the instrument, and reduce the maintenance needs exhibited by the instrument

• Make sure you keep the Piccolo protected from the temperature extremes in your surrounding environment. This could affect, specifically if you move from a warm building into a cold temperature. It can crack the wood of the instrument. You should ideally insulate the instrument within a case, so that it remains protected.

• The headjoint should be ideally warmed up before it is blown into the embouchure hole. This way, you can avoid the cracking of the headjoint or other parts of the instrument. The headjoint has a thinner piece of wood, and is more prone to the cracks

• The fingerprints on the instrument can be removed with the help of a cotton cloth that is dampened in water. You should ideally not use cloth that are infused with the cleaning chemical. It is not recommended to use silver polish on the instrument to complete the cleaning.

When not in use, keep the instrument within the case, safe and protected. You should clean the wood mechanism regularly, and oil it too at regular intervals.