 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LaurieBell
Date: 2017-05-22 20:16
Just wondering if there are any accomplished clarinetists out there (not beginners) who have attempted to pick up the oboe as a second instrument.
We have an oboist in our band and wind ensemble who is fairly good but he's in his 80s and so he may want to retire at some point. A few weeks ago while he was on vacation a guest oboist filled in and he blew my socks off with his lovely sound. Up until that point I just figured really good sounding oboe players were few and far between.
It's just got me wondering, that's all. Wondering if someone who is already fairly musical could more easily pick up the oboe, or is the whole double reed thing too much of a deterrent?
I'm not sure I could ever give up my clarinet in favor of an oboe -- I just love the sound of a clarinet too much -- but it's crossed my mind to try the oboe as something new.
Any thoughts?
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2017-05-22 21:35
Oboe was my primary for 15 years. Started on clarinet then came back to it later in life. You should give oboe a try. It's lots of fun. Start off right, get a good teacher.
AAAClarinet
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Author: kthln.hnsn
Date: 2017-05-22 21:42
Clarinet is my main instrument, but I double on oboe (and violin) for pit orchestras. If you're serious about it, find a good teacher and have them help you pick out one that will fit your needs. I didn't find it hard to learn oboe after playing clarinet so long, but when learning, I would recommend just playing oboe or clarinet for a practice session, and once you get more accustomed to the differences work on switching between them because the breathing and air control is different than clarinet.
Good luck! Oboe is such a beautiful instrument!
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-05-22 22:49
Stop wondering--just do it. I had to study the oboe while working on a BME, and found to my great surprise that it wasn't difficult at all to pick up. The main difference, as mentioned above, is air usage. The embouchure is "easy, once you know how."
Give yourself a break--use a synthetic reed to get started. I like the Chartier synthetic reed.
Educate yourself about mechanisms and, ideally, enlist the help of a teacher before searching for an oboe. You absolutely should not just buy the first decent-looking Bundy oboe you see to get started with--the very-simplified mechanism on these just means you'll end up re-learning best techniques after you upgrade to a better oboe. Get a proper oboe to start with.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2017-05-23 00:05
Oboe playing is all about the reed. If you find a good source then doubling should not be difficult. Good reeds are about 30 dollars. It is complicated by how much oboe breeds can change. Legere will soon be coming out with a North American scrape oboe Reed. It Will be pricey at about $150 but might be worth it.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2017-05-23 03:54
I am completing a doctorate in oboe, and play in a number of groups on clarinet as well as oboe. In fact, I get more gigs playing flute, clarinet and sax than I do oboe, not evening counting the musical theater doubling gigs. If you feel like you are willing to put the time into learning another instrument, by all means, go for it! Get a good teacher, a good instrument, and a good reed source.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: ClarinettyBetty
Date: 2017-05-24 08:59
I also double on the oboe. It's not too hard once you understand the fingerings.
The most important aspect is a good reed. There's a reason there are so many oboe reed jokes and stereotypes--the darn thing absolutely will NOT work without a good reed!
One great aspect of playing the oboe is that when you play your clarinet again, the clarinet embouchure feels super easy and relaxed. Endurance is improved too.
Best of luck!
-----------------------
Eb: 1972 Buffet BC20
Bb: Selmer Paris Presence
A: Selmer Paris Presence
Bass: 1977 LeBlanc
https://gentrywoodwinds.com
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-05-25 16:28
I play many woodwinds. Piano first, then flute.. Then violin... Then recorder.. Then clarinet and now oboe. I think the oboe is more suited to me than the clarinet TBH. I am loving it.
Definitely I feel oboe is easier than clarinet.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-05-28 03:40
If Legere really get the whole synthetic reed concept absolutely nailed, then that will be the battle won as far as the most important and most troublesome part of oboe playing goes. Once that's sorted, then it's all down to the player.
Sometimes I regret ever playing oboe, but it has opened up far more opportunities as there aren't that many players that double on both single and double reeds.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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