We talk about the importance of maintenance around our shop everyday!  Whether we are speaking to groups of people or individual clients one-on-one, we talk about the subject a lot!  Well, talk is talk and pictures definitely speak louder than words.

In the two pictures below, you will see an oboe that was not maintained regularly for quite some time.  In this extreme example notice inside the tone holes, indicated by the red arrows, the “build-up” that is extending across the tone hole opening.  This build-up is extending from right to left (bell to reed well) which is the direction that 99% of the oboists in the world pull their swabs through an oboe.

Even though swabbing does remove most moisture from the bore of an oboe, the swab also leaves behind a dirty little secret.   At the same time you are removing moisture, the swab is introducing very small dust/dirt particles to the residual moisture in the bore and tone holes.  Consequently over long periods of time, tone holes will get clogged as the build-up fills the open voids of the oboe, namely, tone holes.  Because the build-up is inside the tone hole, it is hidden from you if you were to look down the bore, leading you to think everything is OK!

There are many issues that can arise due to this excessive build-up, like tuning and excessive water.  The Onks Woodwind team recommends annual service for all wind musical instruments.  Having annual maintenance will 100% prevent the build-up you see in the pictures below, plus prevent countless other issues that will arise with a lack of maintenance.

Onks Woodwind would be honored to service your oboe and/or clarinet and help you continue being the best musician you can be!  Contact us today.

See more posts below regarding annual cleanings