FLOBOE
FIRST NOTES
The fingering chart is designed to be used in conjunction with any oboe method book. If you want try a few notes before you dive into your method book, the easiest three to start on related to flute are B, A, and G. Below is an example so you can practice matching pitch. With just these three notes, you can play many classic songs like Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb. Try it, I dare you.
ALTERNATE F FINGERINGS
Perhaps the most confusing thing to understand about the fingering chart is which fingering to use for the note F. There are three different fingerings known as "regular," "forked," and "left." Use regular F whenever you can. However, most middle school---high school band music is written in flat keys that make it very difficult to use the regular F fingering. Because your third finger is on the "banana key," it cannot efficiently move to play D or any of the right hand pinky keys immediately before or after. For this reason you would use forked F. This fingering does suffers in tone and intonation, so if your oboe has a left F key, use that whenever possible instead of forked F. The same principles apply in the second octave.
HALF HOLE TECHNIQUE
On the fingering chart you will notice Db, D, and D# use a technique called "half hole." (The third octave D--F# also use this technique, but you will not need these notes when first beginning.) To do this technique, rock or pivot your first finger down so only half the hole is covered. Do not pick up your finger to do this. Sliding is not optimal, but it is better than picking it up. Keep your back thumb in the same place.
