Carlos Coelho, one of the nation’s leading experts in Oboe preservation, restoration and care, cautioned Oboe players across North America to take steps to prevent needless damage to their instruments as the winter months approach.

The occurrence of instrument harm rises significantly during the winter months and most often manifests itself as hairline cracks between tone holes. Ninety-nine percent of the fractures occur in an Oboe’s upper joint and are the direct result of moisture imbalance within the wooden body of the instrument as warm, moist breath comes in contact with cold, dry wood.

“Cracks occur due to disparities in moisture absorption between the internal bore and the outer surface of an instrument,” Carlos Coelho, principal of Carlos E. Coelho Woodwinds, said. “The combination of dryer room air, colder wood temperatures and moisture-laden human breath creates a perfect storm of circumstances for Oboe damage.”

Coelho noted that the act of playing an Oboe during the winter causes excessive moisture buildup in the bore as a byproduct of condensation. Instruments often become chilled in transport or simply take on the cooler ambient room temperatures associated with the fall and winter seasons. When warm breath flows through a cold Oboe, water droplets form along the bore’s inner surface. Coelho compared it to what happens to a cold pitcher of water on a warm, humid day.

Left unattended, the excess moisture penetrates the wood grain and causes it to swell slightly. The difference between the distended, moisture-laden wood near the bore hole and that near the surface causes stress to the instrument’s body. Cracks can often appear between trill tone holes and follow the grain of the wood, which travels lengthwise through an Oboe’s body.

“Managing internal moisture levels is the key to avoiding Oboe damage during the winter,” Coelho said. “Our crack-related Oboe repair engagements spike dramatically starting in November every year, but damage can easily be eschewed by taking just a few simple precautions. ”

Keys to Cold Weather use and Care of Your Oboe or English Horn

Coelho suggests oboists follow four simple steps to keep their instruments in good working order during the colder months:

1. Get a handle on cold weather warm-up techniques: Before playing a single note, gently warm the Oboe by holding it in your hands, against your body or placing it under your arms for a few minutes. This will allow the body of the Oboe to gradually warm and will reduce the potential temperature disparity between the interior surface of the bore and the surface of the Oboe.

2. Perform a so low: As you begin playing the instrument, start by playing notes at the lower end of the scale for a few minutes and then work your way up to the higher notes. Lower notes that employ the tone holes in the bottom joint of the Oboe allow more air to travel the entire length of the instrument, enabling the temperature of the upper joint, the lower joint and the bell to adjust in the most uniform fashion.

3. Become absorbed: Periodically use an absorbent silk swab to remove moisture buildup from the lining of the bore. Never let your instrument sit for an extended period without swabbing moisture away.

4. Check the oil: Applying a natural oil to the interior surfaces of the instrument will help reduce moisture absorption and allow droplets of moisture to travel through the instrument, instead of lingering in its interior. Make sure to oil the inside apertures of the tone holes as well, to keep moisture from migrating along the wood grain from one tone hole to another – a leading cause of swelling and cracking damage.

Coelho cautions musicians to use only vegetable-based bore oils that are made specifically for Oboes and English Horns and suggests steering clear of oils containing petroleum distillates, which can be harmful if ingested. After play, instruments should dry for at least four hours before applying bore oil. After oil application, instruments should stand for a minimum of four hours, ideally overnight.

“The bottom line is, never play a cold instrument,” Coelho said. “And never neglect to follow these simple guidelines when using your Oboe or English Horn during cold weather.”