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Confused, UK

Author: D
Date: 2008-05-22 21:26

Greetings All, I am another refugee from the Clarinet BBoard. I want to take up the oboe but I seem to find lots of conflicting advice regarding instrument purchase. I've been in a couple of music shops including H in London - but I figured that someone who didn't actually own an oboe shop might be slightly less biased!

My situation is thus: I live in the UK. I play the flute, clarinet, recorder, sax, trombone to varying standards. I would like to play oboe, particularly for earlier music. Telemann etc. Would prefer not to limit myself but I doubt I'll ever be looking at really modern stuff or jazz on the oboe.
I don't think the fingering is going to be a problem to learn, already read music, plan to get a teacher to work on oboe technique and tone.

Dilemma. Have been advised by shops that a student instrument would quickly drive me nuts due to lack of complete keywork. Original plan was to get a second hand student instrument while confirming I was going to carry on (pretty likely I'd say - bit obsessed with music) and then sell it for not too much less than what I'd paid and get something better later. Howarth's advised the S20 would have all the key work I'd ever need and to go with the thumb plate. A couple of other places advised to go with duel system. My own research online has basically said go for a full pro instrument (can't really afford that to be honest) if you're intending to play to any sort of standard.

To complicate the situation I have to change jobs in a couple of months and have no idea what the next one will be. (oboe money is in the bank - not an issue). But moving will affect ability to rent an instrument. I'd only rent if I was sure I'd know at the end of the three month (or whatever the fixed term was where you get maximum benefit in returning rental and buying new from same shop) But I might loose a large chunk of that time moving house etc so am wary of doing the rental thing instead of buying second hand and selling that back when I want a better one. Second hand step up oboes seem to have waiting lists as long as the queue for the ladies by the way. Apparently people just don't sell them.

Any advice welcome! Nice to meet you all.

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