Vibrato
An undulation in pitch, that may be notated with a verbal instruction
or a wavy line.
Vibrato is integral to oboe/cor anglais technique,
but can also be specifically notated as a special effect.
Vibrato on the oboe:
Vibrato on the cor anglais:
Glissando
A slide in pitch between notes. This is more or less impossible on
the oboe. A few ascending (NOT descending) glissandi may
be possible on the cor anglais, but these are very
unusual.
Glissando (oboe):
Glissando (cor anglais):
Cor Anglais glissandi:
long, upwards, G-C sharp
longish, up, C sharp to F sharp
same, but short
shorter still
Mute
A soft object insterted into the end of the oboe.
Improvised mutes are used on both instruments.
Mute (oboe):
Mute (cor anglais):
Tremolo or "Shake"
A trill between two notes more than a tone apart. Most tremolandi
are possible, but check fingerings. If many fingers have
to be moved the effect becomes unreliable. This is especially the
case high on the instrument.
Tremolos (oboe):
Tremolos (cor anglais):
Oboe tremolos:
D4-F4 (minor 3rd)
D4-F#4 (major 3rd)
F5-Ab5 (min 3rd)
Gg5-Bb5 (maj 3rd)
Trills
Oboe Trills
A rapid alternation between two pitches. The notation above, read
in treble clef, shows a minor trill followed by a major trill,
indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given,
players will choose trill type based on musical context. The
wavy lines indicating duration of trill are also optional.
Trills are no problem in the lower two octaves of both instruments,
but higher up they rapidly become difficult as fingerings become
awkward.
Cor anglais trills:
Cor anglais double trills: