I just want to know what you think is the right age to learn a Clarinet, Oboe or saxophone.

My edlest started Clarinet at just 11.... Sax 12 1/2

She started when she went to High School and wanted Sax but was physically too small. So for Sax it might be a size thing more than age! I know lots of people start Clarinet earlier than this but she did not get the opportunity to play anything other than Recorder at Primary.

My youngest started Oboe nearly 10 on recommendation of her Recorder Teacher.

Hope this helps.

All depends on physical capabilities really. Clarinet, you have to be able to reach notes, top teeth through, be able to cope with the weight etc. People often start at about age nine. Sax is a bit physically harder to play (I find) and loads of people play clarinet before moving on to sax. I can't really speak for the oboe. There are quite a lot of threads on this topic - do a search.

I started clarinet at 7 too young really!!! i'd say probably 10 for clarinet and 12 for sax and oboe depends on the person though!

I am a phisicaly very small (A hight of a normal 10 year old ) 13 year old, I can reach an octave on the piano(not that easily), and can read music,so maby now's just right for Oboe.

Trouble is that I think the school oboe teacher doesn't do grades, and I want to know my approx ability.

The best thing to do is try Oboe and Clarinet. My eldest was also small for her age but she managed to streach her fingers for Clarinet. Oboe is physically difficult in another way, you have to blow really hard. Ask the teachers to let you have a go at them before you decide.

Just remember that good things come in small packages.

You might not be keen on being small now, but when you reach your late twenties and onwards and people think you are much younger, you'll be REALLY pleased.

If it's any consolation I'm very tiny - just about 5 feet tall. I too can only just about stretch an octave on the piano, but it never held me back with the violin, the oboe or the cello, so don't be put off by your smaller stature.

Oh, and one more advantage of being small, buying clothing and shoes that are sized for 11 to 12 year olds has its compensations. There's not VAT on childrens clothes and that saves me a huge amount of money

Well, I started the Oboe at 11, when i started at High school. I am quite a small person, but that hasn't held me back...

I started the oboe at about 9/10, which was fine for me... in all honesty I felt I'd started too late because I got so jealous of everyone else around me the same age but far better!
The thing that is difficult, which I still find hard to sustain for a very long time, is pressure with the diaphragm; that's where all the power comes from.

With wind instruments, I think its more about being able to hang on to the instrument long enough to play it than how old you are.

In France (or in our local music school anyway) they tend to start the instruments earlier (but often play without the bell for a year). They usually start clarinet or oboe when they are about 7/8.

It's a bit early to worry about what grade you are at if you have only just started having lessons - enjoy the instrument first. Once you have been playing for a while you can have a look at the syllabus on the ABRSM website - there are bound to be some pieces you can play on it somewhere which will give you an idea. The old Trinity/Guildhall used to say which range of notes you were supposed to be able to play for each grade, I am not sure if the new exams still do but you could look and see.

I live in France so have no real idea what grade I am either. I would quite like to know as one of my projects is to go on a short oboe course. By looking at the websites of the various exam boards I have discovered that the pieces I am playing are on the lists for grades 7 and 8 and that I can play the grade 8 scales. Whether my tone and interpretation is worthy of a grade 8 is another kettle of fish!

Well you could always buy one of the ABRSM CDs. You find them on Ebay as well.

Full performance on one CD, only piano on the other - allowing you to play along with the accompaniment.

I have some for the clarinet. They're very useful.

Steve

The Oboe CD's are not being released until the 26 October as I understand it (ABRSM Publishing). I've been chasing them for about 4 months.

My experience is that this is a sign of either a poor reed or an overtight embouchure.

You shouldn't have to blow hard at all. It's important to relax and gently exert pressure on the reed from every direction - but just enough to get a nice tone.

The sensation of having to blow hard may also be due the problem of controlling your breathing. The oboe is a real killer with this and it takes a long time to get used to breathing out before breathing in again.

I don't think I'll ever truly get the hang of it!

Steve





Hi,

Haven't they made Oboe Cds before? I thought they'd been doing this for years.

But besides ABRSM, I think there are other similar CDs around.

Shame the oboe isn't more popular!

Steve

All of these are based on average sizes for age !

Saxophone - 12 years old

Oboe - 10/11 years old

Clarinet - 8 years old

According to th ARBRSM (who I contacted about the CDs) they began by making them for the "poplular" instruments. This is the first year they will be available for oboe. Initially they were supposed to be available in July but there has obviously been further delay.

Music Minus One have CDs of various difficulty for oboe and are quite good fun to play along with.