Hi, I've just joined the forum and wanted to say hi. I'm an Oboist from Gloucestershire and I have just started playing again after an 8 year break. Now i've discovered I didn't do my grade 5 theory at school so i'm just starting it now so I can continue doing some grades. Does anyone know the set up for taking grades etc now? is it all run by the ABRSM? I need a new Oboe too!! saving up franticly!

Welcome to the Forums!


Exams can be taken on either of 3 exam boards, the most common two being ABRSM and TrinityGuildhall (TG), some choose to do exams with LCM. If you don't want to do theory then you should consider swapping to TG which, as far as I am aware, don't require any theory

Hello and welcome Laura,

As you can see in Viva Woodwind there is a thread running regarding "Which Oboe" which maybe of interest to you apart from the small debate re thumbplates for and against between myself and AmandaL but take no heed we are only pulling eachothers legs.

Something that maybe of interest to you there is another forum devoted only to the oboe called "The Oboe bboard" yes thats bboard with two b's, its an american forum so you have to ignore the spelling which is atrocious and the usual American hysterics which can be amusing but they are a mine of information and debate so well worth a read so here's the link...http://test.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/list.html?f=10.

All that aside welcome to the board...

Regards

Andrew

Hi there Laura
Welcome to the forums, I hope you find them useful and fun!

I started playing the oboe in Gloucestershire, so I hope that all goes well and that you enjoy your oboe playing. Have you got a teacher?? When I started there seemed to be several around in Gloucester. I didn't realise how unusual that was/is!
Now I live in North Yorks and have to travel a long way for a lesson every few weeks!

Now I'd better go and practice...

Hello
I am also an oboist from Gloucestershire.
Hope you have not been affected by the floods.

Welcome to the forums.
thanks

Ben again.

Thanks for the tips guys, yes I do have a teacher now and i'm playing for the Uni of Gloucestershire orchestra so my playing has improved quite quickly. I'll check out the other posts. We're any of you guys from Glos at the double reed day last month?

Oboes rule!

Laura, from the next County! I hope that you enjoy the forums.

Yep I was at the double reed day. Enjoyed it very much. Masterclasses are great.

Hi Laura,

Welcome to the forum! I am glad to hear that you are picking up the oboe again, after such a lengthy layoff. I hope you will enjoy playing the instrument for years to come.

I haven't tried any new instruments for a few years, but from what I have heard, they are getting better and better! So I hope you will find yourself a good instrument pretty soon. Are you a thumbplate-system player? If so, I think a dual-system instrument is probably the best for you, if you don't mind the higher cost.

For theory, I would pick up the AB Guide to Music Theory (vol.1) for starter. That should position you well enough for ABRSM theory up to and including Grade 5.

Sincerely,
Wai Kit Leung
("retired" oboist, still have my 1987 Marigaux)