Oboe
Oboe is a highly specialized instrument with many intricacies to consider before deciding it's the right instrument for you. Below are a few things to consider when choosing the oboe.
Are you:
Patient?
Oboe is not an instrument you can pick up over night. The reed can be finicky and the fingerings frustrating. But with a little patience you will find they will begin to make sense and the reed will become less difficult to control.
Independent?
Since it is such a unique tone color, the ensemble only needs a few players to make the oboe section balance the band. Many times YOU will be the section. If you like standing out on your own and making your voice heard this is your instrument
Hard Working?
Oboe is a quirky instrument that has a lot of funky fingerings. Learning these takes dedicated time and effort to play with ease. Accepting the challenge always proves rewarding.
Confident?
Composers love to feature the oboe's unique sound. Since you will likely be one of maybe two oboes in your section, playing with confidence will help the band to play the music as the composer intended.
These are all characteristics a strong oboe player can identify in their personality.
Oboe is not an instrument you can pick up over night. The reed can be finicky and the fingerings frustrating. But with a little patience you will find they will begin to make sense and the reed will become less difficult to control.
Independent?
Since it is such a unique tone color, the ensemble only needs a few players to make the oboe section balance the band. Many times YOU will be the section. If you like standing out on your own and making your voice heard this is your instrument
Hard Working?
Oboe is a quirky instrument that has a lot of funky fingerings. Learning these takes dedicated time and effort to play with ease. Accepting the challenge always proves rewarding.
Confident?
Composers love to feature the oboe's unique sound. Since you will likely be one of maybe two oboes in your section, playing with confidence will help the band to play the music as the composer intended.
These are all characteristics a strong oboe player can identify in their personality.
Financial Considerations
The oboe is an expensive instrument. They are finely tuned machines with a lot of moving parts. There is no such thing as an "inexpensive" quality oboe. Reeds must also be constantly replaced as your saliva breaks down the cane that makes up the vibrating surfaces of the reed. Also, private lessons are highly recommended as this highly specialized instrument requires individual attention outside of band class with a trained professional oboist.
On the plus side, the oboe is a "scholarship" instrument. This means, whether or not you end up going to college for music, you can usually get a decent scholarship to college just for playing in the band. A little money up front could pay your way through medical school!
On the plus side, the oboe is a "scholarship" instrument. This means, whether or not you end up going to college for music, you can usually get a decent scholarship to college just for playing in the band. A little money up front could pay your way through medical school!