 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2015-08-17 20:59
I play clarinet. I would like to learn oboe just for my own amusement, not to play along with other musicians, so relatively cheap is the requirement.
I have the option of a plastic Linton HS2R and would value advice from those who know. Many thanks.
Alan
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-08-17 23:05
A plastic Linton should be a decent beginner oboe to keep you going for a while until you feel you can do with something more advanced. Provided it is in good condition, the pads all seat and it's well regulated, there shouldn't be any problems there.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: MikeC855
Date: 2015-08-18 05:47
It may be pricier than the Linton, but I've had really good luck with the Yamaha plastic "beginner" oboe (YOB-241). Good tone, good projection, plays freely, and with a reasonable reed and a little experience can hold its own against conservatory-grade instruments. I keep one around as a backup and for outdoor concerts, and to loan to students.
Two students I had recently who made the clarinet->oboe transition much preferred my Yamaha over their school-issued instruments. I didn't note what they were suffering with (and should have), but whatever they were, when I tried them they were impossibly stuffy, even after sending out for adjustments.
FWIW.
-----
Confounding band directors since 1964.
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2015-08-19 02:03
I have a Yamaha 241 as well as a 441. One thing to think about is the keywork. My 441 has the left F key but the 241 does not. The left F key really is significant. I'm not sure about the Lintons. The 241 plays fine otherwise.
Jim C.
CT, USA
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2015-08-19 05:39
I started on an old Cabart, a great little budget instrument, but when I realised I was going to take the oboe thing more seriously, the keywork was the biggest stumbling block.
Yamaha 221/211/241 are great starting instruments and you can pick up a used one for around $US500 (I own one as a beginner student instrument, and this is what I paid). If you are willing to consider the fact that you might grow out of any instrument of a 'budget' nature within the first 12 months and upgrade, the Yamaha is a great little starter instrument, and a Linton in good adjustment will be fine also. The Yamaha has been passed between several of my students to get them started, and is currently being used by an 11yo boy. I have never needed to get it serviced, it just stays in adjustment and seems fairly bulletproof!
The biggest keywork things I missed were the left F (particularly as I played in concert bands), the low Bb on the Yamaha (and the low Bb vent on the Cabart) and the 3rd octave key (personal preference). If I had a budget around the $2000 mark, I would start on either a used Yamaha 441/411 or Fox 333.
Rachel
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Author: Wes
Date: 2015-08-19 10:03
Some of us don't use the left F a lot or the low Bb either after decades of playing. However, I like the forked F a lot. On my fairly new Loree, I've blocked off the third octave key as it only gets in the way for me. The alternate C key for RH3 is almost useless for me, in addition. These are my personal preferences and your preferences could be quite different. Good luck!
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Author: annev
Date: 2015-08-27 18:31
Hi Alan,
I'm a clarinet player also, just beginning with oboe. I was able to borrow a plastic Selmer Signet oboe for a year, before I bought an oboe of my own (a second-hand Fox 400). I would strongly recommend finding an oboe with a left-F key. The analogy on a clarinet would be as if you don't have the side Eb/Bb key. The fingerings left for those notes (on a clarinet) would be the sliver key, or the one-and-one fingering. It's do-able, but not as easy, and the tuning on the note differs also (the forked F on many oboes is a bit stuffy). The other disadvantage is that if you upgrade later, you'll need to retrain yourself (it took me about a month, I think, to get comfortable with my new left F). Cost is always an issue, but I think it's worth looking for an oboe with a better key system then the Linton.
I'm really enjoying the oboe. I picked it up "for fun" and have ended up taking regular lessons and playing duets with friends. This summer my teacher lent me her English Horn so that I could play in an oboe trio (the English Horn is just beautiful - I would play it all the time if I could). So you never know where things will go and it's probably worth buying an oboe that you can grow into over time. Enjoy your oboe adventures!
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2015-08-27 22:32
Thank you all for the excellent advice. There is much food for thought in all the above posts.
Thank goodness for the boards.
Alan
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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