 The Fingering Forum
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Author: ...
Date: 2004-12-23 02:30
hey... i was just browsing through the forum topics and i noticed that the majority (well, ok, not necessarily the MAJORITY, but oh well...) of people who visited this forum were oboists. i was just wondering... assuming that the oboe is a "very difficult" instrument to play, what interested you to play the oboe? and... do you think it's hard?
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Author: hautbois
Date: 2004-12-24 09:41
i've played for 3 years now, and from my experience no instrument is easy whatsoever....haha....my first year was a nightmare, then as i progressed i began to love the instrument, and with such discipline on the instrument to play at least something decent theres no wonder why now i keep on hearing things i do not want to, i.e. gets critical and often complain about my own playing, thankfully not others.....phew....
i didnt even know what an oboe was back then, i was in junior high, playing clarinet, and my senior approached me and asked if i would learn the oboe to replace his seat in the band. and there it is now, the 'oboe playing' me.
its probably difficult because of the accoustics and physical properties of the instrument itself, i.e. double reed, narrow column, inperfect design etc. but the hardest part of playing the oboe is that you have to really work so hard and intelligently to gain efficiency. plus, i seemed to have gained more knowledge on other instruments by now because you have to get yourself quite involved in music to be able to play the oboe. i don't like to say play oboe but rather play music (quoted arnold jacob), its more difficult to play music on the oboe than any other instrument, i guess. i don't even want to mention about learning to make reeds....geez......
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Author: Kate
Date: 2004-12-27 03:59
I've played only a little bit, but I found it quite difficult. The bore of the instrument is so small, plus the resistance of the double reed...it takes a LOT of breath control and is very hard for beginners, even those who are experienced woodwind players. Some people, of course, will find it easier than others will. Another difficulty is the fingering. The actual notes are not much different than other woodwind instruments, but the keys and holes are spaced farther apart, so it's harder to reach (especially if you have small hands).
However, the oboe has a very unique sound, and, because it is a "hard" instrument, it's not something everyone can do. It has very beautiful and prominent solos in many orchestral works (and even in modern band works). It's just..."different." 
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