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Re: oboe newbie

Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-10-11 15:20

Indeed! Definitely get a teacher and an oboe specialist from the word go instead of going it alone, as well as having a favourite oboist in mind when determining how to shape your sound. Always have a goal to aim for and it doesn't matter who your favourite oboist is (or favourite oboists are) as it's an individual thing. if you find a like-minded oboist teacher or even one taught by your favourite oboist, even better still.

One aspect of oboe playing that not many other woodwinds have are very pronounced and defined vowel sounds with pretty much each and every note, so don't aim for an even tone as the oboe is very much a 3D instrument (if not 4D as it goes right across time!), so make the most of the different characteristics every note has.

Uilleann pipe chanters and soprano saxes also share similar qualities as they're conical bore reed instruments, if not even more pronounced - especially the Uilleann pipes when hitting that flutey 'oohy' upper register E from a bright and nasal 'AAAH!' lower register open D. Oboes will do that too when going from a nasal C to a round upper register/middle D as you'll also hear on saxes (especially sopranos as they're effectively metal oboes). And don't land on that middle D too hard from the C as it will stick out like a sore thumb.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes

NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.

The opinions I express are my own.

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