Author: oboi
Date: 2012-10-16 01:04
I started playing the oboe in my twenties and I did not find it any harder than learning any other instrument. I don't think having played flute prior to that helped any, other than I knew about tonguing, general fingering schemes and concepts like octave keys. The only thing I remember being difficult was getting used to the back pressure and learning to breathe out (which, perhaps knowing a non-double reed instrument was to my detriment as I was so used to gulping in lots of air). I just worked from a method book by myself and got decent sounds coming out of it after a few days. I think the only major requirement for playing oboe is having a good ear, because you always have the variable reed to contend with. Whoops, I suppose that is another requirement.... enough patience to deal with double reeds.
When I got into junior high (gr. 7), we had to take band at the beginner's level (including how to read music) and there were oboists.
I think the most important thing (and this goes for all the instruments), is to get a teacher right away as most band teachers have no clue about oboes. You'll learn more after a month of lessons than what you'd get from years of school band only (from personal experience). Also, the teacher might give you reeds, which are 100 times better than the junk student reeds that aren't even cheap, either.
Hmm.. one other aspect and it depends on the person if they like it or not.... Do you want to be unique or do you like safety in numbers? That's one thing that irks me even today, sometimes being a lone oboe in a hoard of clarinets and flutes. But on the flip side, you're pretty special and unique. I am always in demand and when you hear the oboe, it's me that you hear (not 30 other flutes, clarinets or violins).
Post Edited (2012-10-16 01:05)
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The Oboe BBoard
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