Swabbing your Oboe by Numbers
Click on the pictures below to view each step individually.
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- Before pulling the swab through your instrument, carefully examine it for knots. A knot in the silk portion of the swab will guarantee that your swab gets stuck, especially in an oboe. Even a small knot in the string of the swab can cause havoc.
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- Once you are certain there are no knots in your swab, carefully begin lowering the weighted end of the swab into your instrument. Notice I am holding the swab so it cannot bunch up on itself as I start to lower it into the instrument. Notice my eyes are on the swab and instrument, not my friends next to me as they are packing up their instruments.
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- Slowly lower the swab through the bore of your instrument. Speed is the key, all of your motions should very slow and calculated. Notice again, my hand is holding the silk portion of the swab so it does not bunch up as I slowly feed the swab through the oboe.
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- Start pulling the swab from the weighted end very slowly, looking at BOTH ends as you pull.
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- Still pulling the swab very slowly all the way through the oboe.
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- Still pulling the swab very slowly all the way through the oboe.
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- By confirming there are no knots in your swab, making calculated movements, not talking to your friends and pulling the swab through your instrument slowly, you are almost guaranteed to have a successful swabbing experience.
Other helpful hints:
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Just like when you are playing your instrument, do not talk to your next door buddy while swabbing. Most swabbing incidents occur because the swabber is not paying attention. While swabbing, do not talk to your friends, but focus on the swab and instrument at all times. Doing this and pulling the swab very slowly will ensure that you have a successful swabbing session.
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If you do not want to chance getting your swab stuck, another option is to swab your instrument in sections. Instead of pulling the swab all the way through each section, pull until the swab gets tight then pull the swab back out the same way it went in.
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Use a non-pull through silk swab for another very safe swabbing method.
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And of course, you can use a feather instead of a swab to have a successful “swabbing” session.
Remove, Clean and Re-install Oboe Octave Vents
Here in the professional oboe repair shop, we are frequently asked about cleaning and sealing octave vents. The standard questions are: How often should I clean the octave vents? What’s the best way to clean octave vents? Should I seal octave vents? How do I seal octave vents?
To answer how often, it really depends. I know, I know, you’re saying, “Thanks a lot for the great advice, Jason!” It really does depend on how often you play, how much you swab/feather out your oboe, and the environment in which you play. At a minimum, we recommend having your octave vents cleaned once a year. This would also go hand-in-hand with a full service for your entire oboe. Oboes have complicated, temperamental mechanisms and should receive a full service once a year. See our articles “Maintain on a yearly basis” and “Maintain on a yearly basis, Part 2.” However, if you are a professional oboist playing 6-8 hours a day or more, it may be necessary for you to clean your octave vents several times a year, before your next annual full service.
No matter your age or level of playing, it may be necessary for you to clean your octave vents at some point in the future. I feel it is especially important for you to have this knowledge if you are a studio teacher, either at your residence or a university setting.
Previously we posted, Should you seal your octave vents? You may also find this article helpful when trying to answer questions about octave vents.
To help assist you with this necessary task of removing, cleaning and sealing octave vents, we created a couple of videos and posted them on our YouTube channel:
Visual: Why Annual Cleanings are So Important
Below is a picture showing why annual cleanings on your instrument are so important. Delaying cleaning allows dust and debris to clog up the holes on your instrument as seen here: Read more