I'm going to be taking up a new instrument in the Spring - I have the choice between Oboe and Bassoon.

Which one is easier to learn?

They share the similarity of double-reeds but thereafter are, of course, very different instruments.

The Oboe is reckoned to be one of the most difficult instruments to learn (along with the French Horn) but Bassoon is no push-over. What instrument is, come to think about it!

The main thing is to consider which you really want to play, what you can afford (neither is cheap!), whether you want the benefits of a melody instrument (Oboe) or an instrument which can be a soloist, with some great pieces, but is largely the bottom end of a woodwind section most of its life in bands and orchestras.

How big are your hands, what shape is your mouth? Do you already read treble and bass clef or would you have to learn one especially. (I seem to think you are a Pianist so probably read both already? Forgive me if I'm wrong).

It seems to me that you shouldn't take up an instrument because it's "easier". You should take up one that really excites you and you feel you have just got to play. Oboists and Bassoonists are both in very short supply - so get to a reasonable standard and there should be plenty of chances to make a lot of music in ensembles, orchestras, bands etc.

Good luck whatever you choose.

Thanks for that.
Yes I am pianist, soon to be taking Grade 8. My biggest regret is that I've never learned an orchestral instrument- - but when I've done my piano exam, i want to take up a new instrument.
We already have a flautist/piccolo-ist, and oboist and a clarinettist in the family, so I want something different (hence the interest in the bassoon). I feel more drawn to woodwind than strings or brass. I already play bass recorder in recorder consorts and orchestras, and I do love playing a repeated ground bass. I've also recently started singing alto (having sung soprano for years), and this has really made me appreciate harmonies rather than just singing the melody.

I have the possibility of borrowing an oboe or a bassoon, and I know of a teacher with vacancies for both. I also know of bands/groups and orchestras in this area who are desperate for oboists and bassoonists. I just can't decide......

Go for the bassoon - my son has been learning for several years (just got his Grade 7) & it is a lovely rich sound. I play violin in an orchestra & have noticed how often the bassoons have important themes & lovely solos (mind you, oboes do too)

Bassoon

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have noticed how often the bassoons have important themes & lovely solos (mind you, oboes do too)

They certainly do

I'm a violinist, but I also play the oboe, and there are some beautiful solo parts in most orchestral works. The Brahms Seranade No. 2 in A, for small orchestra, is a work that particularly comes to mind.

My hands aren't big enough for the bassoon (unless I got a short-reach instrument), otherwise I'd probably play that as well.

Double reeds are endangered species, the bassoon probably even more so than the oboe, so whichever you decide to learn you're bound to be in demand for ensemble playing.

I would say bassoon. But I am really biased, as I play one.

What suggest is trying to find a teacher who would let you try the instruments. Alos, you are able to get to their house (hopefully without a bus journey).

my teacher told me that the oboe was difficult

but how can the oboe be difficult?

Try it, and you'll soon see!!!

It's great though, I really enjoy it.

ive gone off the oboe, it sounds like a duck and i dont like ducks!!!LOL

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ive gone off the oboe, it sounds like a duck and i dont like ducks!!!LOL

In that case you've been listening to bad oboists, combined with extremely duff reeds.

A good oboist with a good reed (and the combination normally go together), would never sound like a duck.

bassoon definitely.... according to my friend, she did grade 4 in a year!

Although, i play clarinet ... i think bassoon is a really cool instrument ... i really like the strong rich sounds of it.

QUOTE (missfabflute @ Dec 29 2004, 08:12 PM)

my teacher told me that the oboe was difficult but how can the oboe be difficult?

lol... thus speaks someone who's never tried it, at a guess. it is hard to even get a sound, and harder to get a nice one - really tough instrument to learn.

I'm thinking of learning the bassoon. I can just reach an octave on the piano, & wonder if I would be able to recah all the keys on a regular bassoon. What do you think? Would it be easier to get a short reach one?

QUOTE (pianoman84 @ May 5 2005, 07:48 AM)

I'm thinking of learning the bassoon. I can just reach an octave on the piano, & wonder if I would be able to recah all the keys on a regular bassoon. What do you think? Would it be easier to get a short reach one?

you should be able to reach all teh keys. The keys aren't that far apart but tehre are loads! 10 for one thumb.

I think bassoon is easier than oboe, but, i suggest you try one to see which omne you prefer

I'd love to play bassoon - oboe doesn't appeal quite so much, it can sound beautiful well played, but I think you have to really want to play it because it can sound awful to begin with: bit like violin, which is not a slacker's instrument either in any way!

Random question: does the oboe go down to the B below middle C?

Cheers! Which one did you learn in the end. How are you getting on - easy?

QUOTE (pianoman84 @ May 6 2005, 06:48 AM)

Cheers! Which one did you learn in the end. How are you getting on - easy?

I learnt bassoon. I have been playing it for a year and I am about to take Grade 3. It is quite easy to start off with. but being a flautist, i have a lazy left thumb, so, that slowed me down slightly.

Well, I've gone for bassoon!

I've been loaned a bassoon...which arrived the night before my Grade 8 piano....but I resisted the temptation to have a go straightaway, and waited until my exam was over!

That was just a week ago, and I've already managed a reasonable scale of FMajor, plus a few pieces based on these notes.

Bassoon? What a strange instrument! Feels ENORMOUS when you first pick it up, yet it fits nicely into your hands - and every time I have the radio on, all I seem to hear at the moment is yummy bassoon bass lines!

So how long before I can play in an orchestra?

QUOTE (sarah-flute @ May 5 2005, 11:26 PM)

does the oboe go down to the B below middle C?

It goes down to the Bb below middle C.

QUOTE (Petite Joueuse @ May 18 2005, 03:54 PM)

Bassoon? What a strange instrument! Feels ENORMOUS when you first pick it up, yet it fits nicely into your hands...So how long before I can play in an orchestra?

As someone who plays bass clarinet, I know what you mean about having a HUGE instrument.

Playing in orchestras depends on how much practice you do and the standard your local orchestra requires, but as bassoonists aren't exactly ten a penny, when you're happy you know what you're doing, make enquiries with a few local groups to see if they'll have you.