My daughter has just been tested for the oboe. She has wanted to play for some time and now has the opportunity. My question - is it too hard for a well motivated 9 year old?

She can read music and can play the recorder - she taught herself the treble, so is enthusiastic. When she was tested for the oboe she could get a note from the teacher's reed and was able to play a couple of notes and tongue them too. I am concerned from what I have heard and read that it may be too hard for a child to play. She is keen to get into an orchestra, and has heard that there is a good chance with the oboe.

Also, if she does start to play - what reed should I buy? There seem so many different types - "scraped" and "wired" and it makes no sense to me. Are the fibre ones any good? Obviously these would live a bit longer than a standard one. Will she get through lots of them at first? You can see I have no experience of oboes and would appreciate any advice.

I started to play the oboe at the age of 8 after playing recorders for many years. I have just finished my postgrad at Trinity College of Music, where I also received my degree. I can therefore say that starting at that age did not harm me.

I suggest that your daughter tries the oboe for a few months. If she is comfortable, happy and enthusiastic with it let her continue, if not give it a rest for a few years. It helps if she is 'big' for her age.

As far as reeds are concerned a beginner should start on 'soft' reeds. Proper cane reeds are always preferable (money permitting). Wired reeds or non wired reeds are to do with personal preference, but a beginner would probably get on better with wired reeds because they close the aperture of the reed so it's easier to blow. Any decent seller of oboes and reeds should be able to advise you on what you need to begin with. You can also contact the British Double Reed Society for their advice (look them up on a search engine for the website).

I feel I should say that although there are less oboists than certain other instrumentalists it is still very hard to get into orchestras. The competition is just as fierce!

Good luck!!!

My sister began the oboe at 7, she went onto get a first class honours degree from The Royal Academy of Music, she then went onto the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and gained a distinction for her Postgraduate orchestral training. She is now in her las year of MMus in Performance at the Royal College of Music.

It certainly didnt harm her!

the most off-putting fact that people tend to have about double reed instruments is that they are soooo expensive, a good professional oboe that she would need for university if she took music further would cost you around £3,000 and up, plus that she would probably need her cor anglais which she would probably get herself in 2nd year, these are from about £4,000 and up. Reeds are from £9 and up for oboe, which are very fragile and easily broken.

I may seem like i am putting you off, but i am actually hoping that you will let her play, this world needs oboists, bassonists, Violists, double-bassists and bass trombone players, she would be welcomed into any orchestra with open arms, and probably get a scholarship to any university she wanted!

hope this has helped

James

I think it's important for a child to start playiong a musical instrument young...I wish I'd started playing a lot youngar than I did. Also if she can already play the recorder and read music then she will be at an advantade.
I wouldn't advise you to purchase an instrument before she has tried one out first~renting is always a good idea.
Hope this helps.
Alex
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Thank you everyone for your replies. I just thought I would up date you. I bought an oboe for my daughter and she was really pleased with it. So much so that she has taught herself all the notes from E down to bottom C. She puffs a bit, but really tries and has played it every day since she got it 2 weeks ago. I know it is early days, but she is very motivated. She has only had one lesson so far, but she is enjoying it so I am glad that I bought it for her.