 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Kjdoyle
Date: 2015-06-02 04:42
I am a Music Ed and Flute performance major in college; next semester I am taking oboe lessons, but my school is asking me to get my own oboe. I plan on going to grad school to get a masters in multiple woodwind performance and to get into a school i would really like to start early. Back to the topic of oboes.. I am actually interested in purchasing an oboe. Being a flute player the only two brands i know about are Yamaha and Loree. I do know that I would like one made out of wood and that it has the LH F key and the Low B. I would also like to add that I don't want it to break the bank, but for someone that knows absolutely nothing... What Brand/ Model number would you personally recommend for me? And would you pay a little bit more for a nicer oboe or just by an intermediate oboe? ALSO I would not like to buy a step instrument, i really want this one to last for the rest of my years.
Thank You For Your Help!!!!
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Author: Wes
Date: 2015-06-02 10:47
I own one Bulgheroni oboe which is really first class. Their Opera model oboe gets rave reviews and would last for a lifetime for about $6xxx. The good Fox oboes are intermediate level but somewhat less money. You could check the Peter Hurd website for his comments on oboes.
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2015-06-02 11:05
Don't buy anything on the auction web-site.
You'll get more value for your money if you buy a decent second-hand instrument instead of a new one.
If you're looking for an "occasional" instrument I would think again about plastic instruments, which are far more hard-wearing than wooden ones, which don't like to be ignored for any length of time.
There are several dealers who are trustworthy and are glad to help you find a good second hand instrument within budget. They all ship within mainland USA so I'm certain that getting an instrument on trial won't be a problem. Look for dealers who specialise in Oboe, not general woodwind, since they often receive (and know how to service) good instruments in part-exchange.
Make sure you have a good teacher, or a friendly professional, who can help you vet the instrument and make sure everything is fully functional.
Having said all that, doubling on Flute/Oboe is very, very hard. The differences in breath-control and embouchure control are diametrically opposed, and your flute playing will suffer.
J.
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2015-06-02 11:13
Also a flute player who has pretty much moved permanently onto oboe... :P
My recommendation is to purchase a used professional model. I was a flute performance major and began dabbling with the other woodwinds in order to secure more teaching after I graduated. Oboe kind of won over all of them.
The reason for this is because you have already played (or will play, at some stage during your degree) another wind instrument to a high standard. It doesn't take much to get the second/third/fourth instruments to a similar standard if you put in the effort, certainly a lot less time than the first one took. I grew out of my old beat up starter instrument (which was still wood) in about 2 years. I knew what playing a professional instrument meant, the feel, the potential. I really don't recommend purchasing an intermediate instrument if you've come from a professional flute.
I have a Marigaux 901, which I bought used. I love it. As a flute player, I feel like its tone resonates with me perhaps more than other brands (but then, I prefer the Muramatsu sound over the Sankyo/Powell sound in flutes).
Brands to look at:
Marigaux (older ones are marked SML Marigaux)
Rigoutat (they can be reed-fussy but they are good value on the used market)
Howarth (particularly the older S5s can be very solid instruments)
Bulgheroni
Loree (as you are aware of)
It's probably best to stick to these brands, or have your teacher select an instrument for you, if you haven't already started playing. You might decide you really like the pro Buffet or the Patricola or the Fossati, but these brands tend to suit quite individual tastes and polarise people sometimes! Your teacher will be your best resource as they can try out any potentials for you.
Also, if he doesn't jump in on this thread, contact Peter Hurd of oboes.us. He has excellent advice and will be able to match you up to a suitable oboe within your budget, and it will be in excellent repair.
Good luck!
Rachel
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2015-06-02 17:04
I would speak to Hannah Selznick.
http://www.hannahsoboes.com/
She is a very good person and has a great selection of new and used oboes.
Mark
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Author: Oboelips
Date: 2015-06-03 21:43
I think all of the previous advice is great. I too, was a flutist, but my soul belongs to the oboe in reality. I played flute first, taking up oboe at the ripe old age of 30. I knew I'd arrived "Home" when I got through my first few weeks. Not a bad transition. Now it's been nearly 30 years. You'll develop some new muscles, and be frustrated at how less agile than a flute the oboe is. Your flute experience will have left you fearless of the upper register (it's really not so high, if you've played flute). There is a 'cartoon' out there that shows a flutist's stand (neat, clean and with simply a flute lying on it) and an oboist's stand (reed tools, implements, tuner, etc). Playing oboe requires more "stuff". But it's worth it! And since you likely won't start out making your own reeds, you'll need this page: http://reedreviews.net/
Enjoy--Oboe is a GREAT adventure & pursuit!
Oboefully,
Deb
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Author: oboi
Date: 2015-06-04 09:33
I learned flute as a teenager in school band and while decent enough at it (no private lessons), wasn't too big on it. Stopped entirely after graduation and did not play a wind instrument until I decided to take up the oboe in my mid-20's. I progressed much faster on it (mind you, I had the initiative and the general wind know-how). I didn't find the embouchure too much of an issue, although expect to be winded easiliy at first. Also, learn to blow out! I never had enough air for flute, but have too much for oboe. That might be one of the most important things to do first.... don't take in too much air. Or back pressure or your desire to expel all the air through the instrument will make you dizzy. That happened to me a lot the first few years.
I think it's a matter of getting used to switching between instruments. It's certainly possible. In the old days (and today for period players), it was almost a given that the recorder player was also the oboist. I've seen people do it very successfully. Playing back to back without a break is maybe bad, but with training, hopping between the two with a minor break should be okay. Provided you are already solid on the oboe before you attempt to do both at the same time.
I would get a full conservatory oboe. The low B-flat and left E-flat and F are invaluable. If you've played a pro flute, an intermediate oboe is going to get on your nerves. There are many pro-levels to choose from, which can vary largely in price. I would be curious about the Fossati if I was looking for a cheaper pro.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2015-06-09 18:17
Check with Hannah Selznick. I bought my oboe from her at a very good price. Yamaha, Loree, Buffet, Bulgerhoni, Howarth and Fox make great instruments. I played a Fox 400 through my masters and got a Yamaha 841 in my Doctorate. Both are great instruments, and I've been happy with both. If you are unsure about how much oboe playing you're going to do, I would check into a Yamaha with a resin liner, to prevent issues with cracking. That might be tough to buy used though. Also the Fox 450 has a resin top joint and wooden bottom. I suggest this to many music ed students who don't plan on playing professionally in orchestras after college.
I also will say that oboe won't make your flute playing suffer. People are often surprised to hear that I'm primarily an oboist when they hear me play flute. You learn how to "flip the switches" for different instruments, and access the embouchures and fingerings for that instrument without interference from yourself! Just remember to practice switching between instruments, and you'll be fine. I try to do a T&G and De La Sonorite session after playing oboe or clarinet to make sure my flute embouchure is always in shape.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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