Precautions

Please read the following precautions carefully before using the instrument. These are for your safety and the safety of others, and to prevent damage to the instrument.

About the Icons

⚠ (Attention): This icon indicates points that must be observed.

⛔ (Prohibited): This icon indicates actions that are prohibited.

Important Safety Information

• Do not throw or shake the instrument. Parts may fly off and injure others. Always handle the instrument gently.
• Keep small parts out of the reach of children, as they can swallow them accidentally.
• Keep oils, polishes, etc., away from children, especially their mouths. Swallowing these substances can be harmful or fatal.
• Do not touch the tips of the springs during maintenance or at any other time. On some models, the spring tips are sharp to improve key action.

General Precautions

• Climate: Be mindful of temperature and humidity. Keep the instrument away from heat sources like stoves or heaters. Avoid extreme temperatures or humidity, as this can damage key alignment, joints, or pads, leading to performance issues.
• Cleaning Agents: Never use benzene or thinner for maintaining lacquered instruments, as it can damage the finish.
• Handling: Place the instrument on a stable surface to prevent it from falling or tipping over, which could cause damage or misalignment. Choose your placement carefully.
• Modifications: Do not modify the instrument. Modifications will void the warranty and may make repairs impossible.
• Brass Instruments with Plating: The color of the plating may change over time. This does not affect the instrument's function. Initial discoloration can be removed with routine maintenance. However, advanced discoloration may be harder to remove. Use metal polishes sparingly, as they remove a small layer of the finish.
• Practice Etiquette: While your instrument can produce beautiful sounds, be considerate of your neighbors during practice, as repetitive or complex musical practice can be bothersome.

Oboe Wood Care

Yamaha oboes are made of natural grenadilla wood, making them susceptible to temperature and humidity changes. Sudden shifts can cause the wood to expand, leading to cracks or key malfunctions. The oboe body is thicker and more delicate than most woodwind instruments.

Maintaining Ideal Conditions

• Temperature Acclimation: In cold temperatures, allow the oboe to reach room temperature before playing. Never blow warm air into the instrument, as drastic temperature changes can cause cracks or other damage.
• New Instruments: For the first one to two months, allow the instrument to rest for extended periods. Start by playing for only 20-30 minutes a day, gradually increasing the time by approximately 10 minutes per day each week.
• Post-Playing Care: After playing, use the included "cleaning swab" to remove moisture and dirt from the inside of the instrument.
• Storage: Store the instrument in its case immediately after playing. Avoid leaving it in places with high temperatures or humidity.
• Before Storage: Even for short breaks, remove moisture and dirt with the "cleaning swab" and place the instrument on a stable surface with the keys facing up.
• Case Storage: Never leave gauze or damp cloth inside the case.

Conditions to Avoid

The oboe is a delicate instrument. Avoid the following conditions:

• Direct sunlight for prolonged periods (See page 7, "Maintenance when finished playing").
• Excessive rain or humidity (See page 10, "Care: Storing your oboe").
• Heat sources such as stoves or heaters.
• Cold air, such as from air conditioners.

Nomenclature

The oboe consists of several parts:

• Upper Joint (Parte superior)
• Lower Joint (Parte inferior)
• Bell (Campana)

The manual illustrates two systems: the semi-automatic octave key system and the full-automatic octave key system.

Assembly and Tuning

Assembly Precautions

• Handle the instrument with care during assembly to avoid excessive force on the keys, which could cause them to bend or become misaligned.
• When assembling for the first time, parts may be tight. Apply a thin layer of cork grease (included) to the corks of the joints. If the parts still do not join smoothly, apply grease to the other side of the joint. Use grease sparingly.

Assembly Steps

1. Apply Cork Grease: Apply a thin layer of cork grease to the cork of the joint and around the circumference of the reed tube.
2. Attach the Bell: Hold the bell with your left hand, align the connecting keys with the lower joint, and slide the bell onto the lower joint.
3. Connect Upper and Lower Joints: Hold the lower joint with your left hand, align the connecting keys, and slide the lower joint onto the upper joint.

Oboe Tuning Tips

Oboe tuning is influenced by the reed's length, type, and scraping. If you have difficulty tuning, try adjusting these elements. Ambient and internal instrument temperature also affect tuning. Allow the instrument to acclimate to room temperature before tuning, or warm it gently with your hands.

Thumb Rest Adjustment and Instrument Maintenance

Adjustable Thumb Rest Installation

The thumb rest's position and angle can be adjusted for a comfortable fit. Use the provided hex wrench (1.5 mm) to loosen the screws and adjust the thumb rest. (Diagram shows adjustment points for vertical position and angle.)

Note: Do not remove the screws to prevent losing parts.

While Playing

• Avoid placing the oboe on a table with the tone holes facing down or leaning it against a wall with the tone holes facing down diagonally. This reduces the chance of moisture dripping from the tone holes, which could increase the risk of cracks.
• When not in use, even for short periods, store the instrument in its case to protect it and prevent tripping hazards.

Maintenance When Finished Playing

After playing, follow these steps to clean the instrument:

• Disassembling the Oboe: When separating the upper, lower, and bell sections, do not hold the instrument close to your face or others. If parts come loose unexpectedly, they could cause injury or damage.
• Reed Care: Remove the reed, dry it with gauze, and store it in the reed case.
• Internal Cleaning: Use the "cleaning swab" to clean the inside of the instrument. Leaving moisture inside can cause cracks.
• Swab Usage: Insert and remove the "cleaning swab" from the bell end. Do not pull from the top of the upper joint. If you feel resistance, pull the swab back from the bell end. Pulling too hard may cause the swab to get stuck.

General Maintenance

• Moisture Accumulation: Sections of the instrument can accumulate moisture, potentially causing cracks. Carefully dry these parts with gauze.
• Frequent Drying: Even while playing, frequently remove moisture from the inside of the instrument body.
• Swab Maintenance: Keep the "cleaning swab" clean and dry.
• Surface Cleaning: Once or twice a month, clean the instrument's surface with a polishing cloth. Be careful not to damage keys or other parts.
• Pad Cleaning: Use cleaning paper to remove dirt and moisture from pads. Insert the paper between the pad and tone hole, and open/close the keys to absorb moisture and grease. Octave tone holes are prone to moisture buildup and should be cleaned promptly.
• Key Oiling: If keys are not moving correctly, use special key oil (sold separately). Apply sparingly between key arms and posts, avoiding excessive oil. Wipe off any excess oil from the key surfaces.
• Oil Application: Do not apply too much oil to the keys. If unsure where to apply key oil, consult the store where the instrument was purchased.
• Tone Hole Cleaning: Use a tone hole cleaner to remove dirt from tone holes and areas around keys. Be careful not to damage springs or pads.

Troubleshooting

• Unclear Tone or Out-of-Tune Playing: If a pad is deformed or the instrument body has cracks, take it to your dealer for repairs.
• Sticking or Immovable Keys: A spring may have become dislodged, or the keys may be deformed.
• Assembly Issues (Parts too loose or too tight): Corks at the joints may expand or contract due to temperature/humidity changes, or the cork may be worn out.
• Noisy Keys: Keys may lack oil, or screws may be loose. Corks or felts on the keys may be worn or have fallen off. Keys might be contacting the instrument body or other keys.

Care: Storing Your Oboe

• Do not place the oboe on a table with the tone holes facing down.
• The oboe's mechanisms are complex. Sudden changes in temperature or humidity, or slight external pressure, can damage keys, pad alignment, or key function. It is recommended to have the instrument serviced by a dealer every two to three months.
• Do not place objects inside the case that could press on the keys.
• Do not apply excessive force to the instrument or case.
• When not in use, store the instrument in its case and attach the case cover. To protect against temperature and humidity changes, store the case in a bag.
• Do not place the instrument near heating or cooling equipment, such as heaters or air conditioners.

Oboe Maintenance Accessories

• Silver Cloth: Removes discoloration and tarnish from silver or silver-plated surfaces, producing a beautiful shine.
• Polishing Cloth: A dense, soft cloth for polishing the instrument's surface.
• Thumb Rest Pad: A soft, fine-textured cloth for polishing musical instruments.
• Polishing Gauze: Removes surface dirt to restore the finish's luster.
• Cleaning Paper: Used between pads and tone holes to absorb moisture and grease.
• Cork Grease: Helps maintain smooth joint connections and improves air seal. Remove dirt from corks, apply a small amount of grease, join the parts, and spread the grease.
• Key Oil: Apply a small amount of oil between key arms and posts to prevent wear and rust.
• Tone Hole Cleaner: For removing dirt from tone holes and around keys.
• "Cleaning Swab": Absorbs moisture and dirt from inside the instrument.
• Silver Polish: For treating silver discoloration or tarnish. Apply a small amount to polishing gauze or a polishing cloth and polish the instrument surface.
• Wood Lubricant Oil: Prevents deformation and cracking of wooden instruments due to humidity. After drying and cleaning the inside of the bore, apply a small amount of oil with the "cleaning swab" to the interior.

Fingering Charts

The manual includes fingering charts for both semi-automatic and full-automatic key systems, detailing finger positions for various notes.

Key Explanations:

• G, G+, G3 are G# keys.
• E, E+ are E♭ keys.
• 81 is the first octave key, 82 is the second, and 83 is the third.
• Sp. is a spatula key.
• Note on Key Usage: When the Low B-C linkage is active, the C key may be unnecessary. When the Low B-C linkage is active, certain fingerings may not be possible.