Practicing "The F's"

This page is designed to help oboists master the variety of F fingerings.

This exercise is a great way to practice regular F (or left F if you have a professional oboe). Forked F does not need to be used since we are playing E natural which does not require the right ring finger.

Since this exercise uses Eb, we must use the left F (if available) or our forked F fingering. Unless your oboe has an automatic resonance key, leave your right Eb key pressed down for both the Eb's and the forked F's.

Notice the key signature that includes Eb's. This exercise uses middle F. Make sure to press the octave key down for those F's. Additionally, all of the F's are either preceded or followed by a note that uses the right ring finger. Thus, they should be played with the left F (if available) or the forked F fingering.

Noticed the key signature that includes Eb's. All of the F's are preceded or followed by a note that requires the use of the right ring finger (low Eb). Use left F or the forked F fingering.

This little ditty does not require the use of the right ring finger at all. Thus, you can play these F's using the standard fingering, or your left F if available.

This musical excerpt does not require the use of forked F. If the rhythm is tripping you up, use the recorded example as a guide.