Author: vboboe
Date: 2006-07-02 19:51
... let's counter-act a somewhat negative impression left by this 'missing' list (all correct however) and instead say affirmatively that the Yamaha 441 is an INTERMEDIATE student oboe, with modified basic conservatory keywork
... intermediate oboes are great for second year beginners to about their sixth year on the instrument, or the equivalent of grade 8-12 high school band or orchestra programs
The basic beginner plastic (often maligned 'toy') oboe is OK as an economical first year training oboe, especially if student is uncertain of continuing, or changes mind to another instrument later
Yamaha does basic beginner oboe 211 made of less desirable type of plastic, the 441 intermediate in plastic (cheaper) or wood (more expensive), and well designed top of their line quality wood with some plastic 800 series (semi-pro and pro). All their oboes have a similar feel to them so transition is easy when upgrading, or using a more basic model as a backup instrument in times of emergency.
Yamaha 441 has the F resonance key (for forked F's) and the Left F (so can play either basic right and left F) -- very useful and highly desirable feature
It has the low B-flat key and the left pinky cluster are separately mounted, not just the single wing key (E-flat/low B) on bare basic beginner oboes
Their 211 model doesn't have the upper D trill key, but the intermediate 441 does. The 211 beginner model has very soft keywork that bends easily and plain wire springs; the 441 has blue steel springs and stronger keywork, and the keys bounce back quickly. All parts move easily and freely with proper oiling at appropriate time intervals.
It's an adequate intermediate student training oboe with pretty good scale, moderately but not cheaply priced, has the same kind of bore & undercut keyholes as used on the 800 semi-pro and pro models and it's an esthetically attractive instrument and handles nicely, so IMO this would be fairly good value for money if purchased new; however, i'd be very wary of a second-hand wood 400 series (411 earlier models now being cleared for 441's) simply because the wood is as thin as they dare make it
... so IMO 441 should be thought of as a transitional instrument, something to upgrade from in about 3-5 years time. It could take on the role as backup instrument at that point, provided the wood is cared for meticulously inside and out in an appropriate manner all during this time to prevent drying out & cracking, mold and/or dry rot.
... it takes approximately extra $3K to get full conservatory oboes (new price) so the important question is, will high school student go onto post-secondary music career majoring in oboe? If yes, introducing full conservatory in grade 11 (or earlier equivalent if student is doing private lessons and has advanced quickly) makes the most economical sense
... keep the familiar & comfortable intermediate model as a trusted backup instrument when best oboe is in for maintenance or repairs
... however, actual availability of playable second-hand oboes is often the final deciding factor, and one can get some really good deals on a top quality instrument (lots of lemons too!) Then the big question is, can student take care of this high quality instrument with adequate protectiveness, due care and attention at all times while teen social life, hormones and busy school schedules distract them elsewhere at a moment's notice? Will its high quality price value ever make it vulnerable as a target for theft in this environment?
... the Fox 300 series, especially the resin (better quality) plastic ones, are considered to be very durable instruments, quite suitable for busy school environments, whereas i'd be somewhat concerned about Yamahas in that situ
... at a recent band festival i heard a young fella with lovely expressive tone, good air support and judicious use of vibrato -- playing on a bare basic beginner oboe -- he made that 'toy oboe' sound pretty darn good :-)
Lesson ... it's not the instrument's bells & whistles, it's the oboe player!
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
