I have wanted to learn oboe since I was about 11 and at the age of 50 (!) have decided to go for it. I am very confused about the different types of oboe and what I should look for. I have tried only one so far - a Howarth student model (S10?) which I could easily get a note out of - didn't try much more.. I have tried my daughter's clarinet but really struggle to get much sound out of it at all - it's a Buffet E11. Does this mean I'll have problems with oboe? Lots of questions - sorry!

Oboe and clarinet have very different techniques and embouchures, so I understand, so if you got a note out of the oboe that's a good sign, and if you didn't get one out of the clarinet it's neither here nor there.

I think. I don't play oboe and am a very bad clarinettist, but I don't think you need to worry.

The oboe's a long haul not a quick fix.

You can get a note out of it which is a very good starting point.

If you really want to play the oboe go for it, but do insure your teacher is an oboe specialist and can appreciate the nuances of the instrument.

Hi Mrbunny (good name that! )

I too wanted to play the oboe since I was very young, and decided to go for it last year. I have an excellent teacher (if you're in the East London/Essex area I can pass on her details if you'd like them) and have made good progress with her - I'm doing Grade 5 next term. I could read music already though, and play the recorder a bit - the basic fingerings are very similar. If you're very keen to play the oboe then you'll probably progress quite fast because you'll be so motivated Everyone will recommend you get a teacher to start you off, as you'll need someone to fiddle with reeds for you too - shop-bought reeds are usually really hard to play unless you know how to adjust them.

Don't worry if you can't get a note out of a clarinet. I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder and can no longer get a sound out of a clarinet/flute (I used to be able to) but the oboe is very different - you only use a tiny amount of air, but have to support it with a lot of abdominal pressure.

Let me know how you get on!

Cheers

T xx

I too always wanted to learn the oboe as a child and finally started about two and a half years ago (aged 38). Like Oboe Bunny I could already read music well and could play the recorder, which I suppose is some help with fingering but not at all for breathing or the embouchure.

I too would recommend finding a good teacher as I think you would find it hard to develop a good embouchure and understand diaphram breathing by yourself. Also, as Oboe Bunny said, the read can make a huge difference both to the ease with which you can get a note out and to the tone you produce.

I found it very tiring for the lip muscles in the beginning and could only play for about ten minutes at a time (if that). I still feel I lack stamina but I am now playing Grade 7-8 pieces and practice for about 45 minutes a day.

Hope you enjoy it and get as much pleasure out of it as I do.

A wonderful instrument to play but it needs diligent and regular practice. A good teacher, especially in the early stages, is vital - as with any instrument - as they will prevent you developing bad habits, rather than having to sort them out. Puffing out the cheeks and clamping the arms down to the sides are frequent bad habits formed with the oboe.

Building stamina, diaphragm support and developing a good tone takes time, so don't expect instant results. Hard work will reap the rewards; satisfaction and a huge amount of enjoyment.

Go for it!

Thanks for all the encouragement. Oboebunny, I'm in Newcastle - a bit too far to travel to the south even for the best oboe teacher! I'm looking for a teacher up here to get started and I hope to give me advice about which oboe to get. I'd like to try one out for a little while before spending that much money! I should really take up clarinet instead, I could use my daughter's B12 and she could even teach me - she's Grade 7 standard on clarinet, Grade 8 on piano and singing and is taking A level music.. But I just don't have the enthusiasm for it.


what oboes have other learners started on?

Sounds like a good reason NOT to learn it. Learn the instrument you have a passion for

The Yamaha student model is quite good, as is the Buffet Artiste or the Howarth S10.

The cheapest one is the John PAcker JP 181 Oboe C. I'm sure I played one of these at classicalive last year at Olympia and it sounded fine.

unfortunately they're in Somerset! but do sell amil order.

I started off on a Buffet Artiste, which was really nice. It's a wooden oboe but has a resin-lined bore, which means that it isn't in danger of cracking (which is a problem that wooden oboes can have).

A couple of months ago I was lucky enough to buy a Marigaux 901 professional oboe as my gran passed away and left me some money. Hopefully some day I'll be able to make it sound as good as it's capable of sounding!

I started on an old Howarth S2 (open holed). I still play it as it can do things my newer instrument can't.

Kai

That's intriguing Kai - what can it do that your new instrument cannot?

I play on a plastic oboe which has no brand name on it my partner bought it for me new from e-bay. It has turned out to be surprisingly good - I sat in on a master class by one of the leading French oboists and he asked to try it as my teacher had told him about it and he thought it was excellent value for money. It is however, a full gilet (conservatoire) system and so not the same as is usually used in the UK.

I really envy Oboebunny, however. My teacher has a Marigaux 901 and I have tried it on a couple of occasions and it has the most wonderful sound. Maybe when I win the loto...

I have an oboe! Went for the Howarth S10B as can rent it on what seems like a good deal. And now have a teacher as well - first lesson next week. Hope she can show me how to sound like a dying duck rather than a dying sheep which is the sound I'm getting now! Anything would be an improvement..

This person has good tips for embouchure etc:

http://www.oboesforidgets.com/

This is an excellent oboe forum:

http://test.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/index.html


Hope this helps.

Steve