Author: oboeidaho
Date: 2007-03-11 22:57
Clarinet *is* way less complicated, although all instrument have their difficulties! But the oboe is more complicated than most - therefore it is really important to have a private teacher to help you navigate the confusing mess (and probably save money by not investing in the wrong thing)!
Most private teachers are not accredited, I have a master's degree in oboe but am not accredited. That being said, if your church lady friend plays a fair amount I'm sure she would be fine to get you started, and $20 seems like a good price. But if she only played in high school and hasn't played since, you might want to consider someone with more recent experience. I would bet you could get someone to teach twice a month - even if the music store requires weekly lessons you could see if their oboe teacher also teaches out of their home. Or you could try the other sources for teachers. I won't teach for less than a 45 minute lesson, there is just not time to adjust reeds and get any playing done if you have a 30 minute lesson (IMHO).
Almost all oboe accessories (including stands) are available on the internet. Unless you live in one of the few places with a oboe specialty shop you just order online or get catalogs. Some good places to start are Forrests Music (http://www.forrestsmusic.com/) probably the biggest (not necessarily the best), Charles Double Reed Company (http://www.charlesmusic.com/), and Midwest Musical Imports (http://www.mmimports.com/index.cfm).Each of the web pages has links to tons of OTHER oboe pages! These sites are addictive and dangerous to your pocketbook! Your teacher will have recommendations about this I'm sure.
I personallly don't see the need for a student to have an oboe stand, it is usually something used in a doubling (playing two different instruments on the same concert) situation - like in a musical theater pit. But some people use them all the time at home, I'm just not a stand person I guess! I put my oboe down (keys UP) on a chair or flat surface - NOT the floor - only if I will be right back to play more (5 min or less). Dutchy is right; put the oboe AWAY (after swabbing!!!!) when not being played - I even put mine away during the break for orchestra (10-15 min) because it only takes a few seconds and it isn't worth having someone accidently knock it off your chair (or oboe stand, which are quite tippy unless you get a Blayman stand - rather pricey)
Good luck! Fun to hear how your daughter is doing.
(FYI - spell oboist, not oboeist, please don't be offended, just helping!)
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