Learning to play without an oboe fingering chart be challenging, especially when it comes to memorizing all the finger positions for each note.
These quick reference charts should be able to get you up and running in no time.
How to read a clarinet fingering chart
A fingering chart is a diagram representing the oboe. There are circles to represent the keys that initiate its notes and elliptic shapes to depict the pinky keys, trill keys, and octave keys.
Fingering charts normally have the note written on the treble staff with the map indicated above or under it. The keys being pressed down for each note will contain a solid color.
Some notation has significant fingering choices. Select the one that makes the most sense for you based upon the model of your oboe, what a passage demands, or what your teacher suggests.
Make sure you look out for charts indicating notes that use a half hole.
What to do when your right thumb hurts
After a long period of playing (and especially when you’re new to playing), you might find that your right thumb will start to hurt eventually. No big deal; this is a pretty common issue.
To relieve this pain, try to use a thumb rest designed specifically for the oboe. I highly recommend one of these as you’ll be able to play for longer periods instead of stopping due to pain.
Top 5 oboe thumb rests
I’ve found that music store thumb rests for the oboe can be far too expensive for what they are, so here is a list of cheap options on Amazon that have the highest reviews. Check out our other articles on recommended Oboe cases and Oboe reeds.
- Flexibility & Comfortable: The clarinet thumb protector is made of rubber material, Which is soft & comfortable when used, tear-resistant and durable
- Universal Size Set: Includes 5 pack thumb rests (5 Colors), Universal finger rest approx. 22 mm/ 0.87 inch in length, 20 mm/ 0.8 inch in width, 10 mm/ 0.4 inch in thickness, suit for most Clarinet Oboe
- Functional: Clarinet thumb protector eliminate sore thumbs, alleviating the fatigue and stress of long-term playing, Protect your thumb from pain
- Unique Shape Design: The shape of our clarinet soft thumb rest is curved shape design to fit your instrument greatly, help maintain correct finger position
- Easy to Use: Installation and disassembly are very simple, Just takes only a few seconds to complete it
- Silicone material clarinet thumb rest cushion which is not only soft and comfortable when used, but also non-toxic, environmentally friendly.
- Installation and disassembly are very simple. It takes only a few seconds to complete the installation and disassembly.
- Provides extra thumb rest and helps maintain correct finger position.
- When using the instrument for a long time, clarinet thumb protector can help eliminates fatigue and stress.
- Comes with 5 pack thumb rests, suit for most clarinet.
- Comes with 5 pcs thumb rests(5 Colors) compatible with most clarinet oboe.
- Silicone material clarinet thumb rest cushion which is not only soft and comfortable when used, but also non-toxic, environmentally friendly.
- Color: Pink/Black/Blue/Purple/Yellow. Thumb Rest Cushion Size: Approx. 29 x 13 mm.
- Easy to install, stable and comfortable, not falling.
- When using the instrument for a long time, clarinet thumb protector can help eliminates fatigue and stress.
- PREVENT CALLUSES AND RELIEVE PRESSURE – The world’s FIRST and ONLY Thumb sleeves specifically designed to protect your thumbs from long hours playing on the Saxophone, Oboe, Clarinet and other Woodwind instruments that have become the GO-TO for woodwind professionals worldwide. (Sold as a pair!)
- HIGH-QUALITY MATERIAL – Super flexible, bendable, and so comfortable that you’ll BARELY notice wearing them. These Nubs provide crucial support with a slightly padded feel on those painful metal thumb rests which can cause blisters, bruising and cramping.
- BUILT FOR PERFORMANCE – Thin and discrete enough to wear them at live concerts and symphonies, NUBS are also Incredibly durable, washable, and able to withstand years’ worth of abuse. A no brainer solution for any musician suffering from the rigors of our instruments!
- JOINT SUPPORT – Nubs provide a bit of compression to keep your joints secure and in place. They also provide a bit of warmth to reduce inflammation. This helps anyone with issues related to arthritis or joint discomfort. The sleeves are so comfortable that they allow your thumb to feel more relaxed. And when you’re relaxed you have less tendency to cramp up, making music a much more enjoyable experience to play.
- ENJOY PLAYING MUSIC – Works fantastic by themselves, or in combination with a thumb rest cushion so you can concentrate on playing music instead of the constant pain of metal on bare skin. If you’re looking to make beautiful music but sick of pain and discomfort, you’ve found your solution! Also, be sure to look for our Nubs Sack (sold separately) that keeps your Nubs safe and secure and clips right onto your instrument case!