Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2010-07-18 03:49
I played clarinet as a youngster, and even some as an oldster, and then switched to the oboe about six years ago.
I concur with what Mike has written about opportunities for oboists vs. clarinetists or flutists . Moreover, clarinets, flutes, trumpets, saxophones, and the like are a bit more "anonymous" in a band context, except perhaps for the first chair player. Oboes get lots of nice solos and tend to stand out in a crowd.
But consider these facts in the context of the personality of the player. Some people are in fact more comfortable being one among many; others relish the opportunity to be the "different" one. The former might actually prefer the group experience of being a band clarinetist. The latter would likely be thrilled to be the oboist!
As far as playing for personal enjoyment, I can see no substantive difference between oboe and clarinet. They are both satisfying instruments to play. Having learned both instruments, I sincerely can't say that one is more difficult to master than the other. They both have their challenges, and either one can be played well or badly. I have heard at least as many bad clarinetists as I have bad oboists.
The oboe, however, has been around for a long time -- much longer than the clarinet -- and consequently has a more extensive repertoire -- baroque, classical, romantic, impressionist, modern. The only place that I can think of where the clarinet would have more repertoire would be in pop music of the 1940s, and maybe in Klezmer or German bands.
In addition, since the oboe is pitched in "C", it can play along with carols, hymns, pop music -- whatever -- by just reading the melody line of what a pianist or guitarist is playing. The typical clarinet, being pitched in Bb, would need to transpose in order to do this.
I sense you may be balking a little bit at the relatively higher "entry cost" involved with playing the oboe. My advice to you would to NOT let that be the determining factor. Where there's a will, there's a way. If your daughter has been happy with the oboe thus far, get her one you can afford and go forward from there.
Susan
Susan
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