For any who will listen:
I`m about to start playing oboe. This year is my third year in band. My beginning band year, I played clarinet. That was 6th grade. In 8th grade I took band 2 (stupid keyboarding became required in middle school) and played bass clarinet. So I decided to play bass clarinet my freshman year at highschool. Now I just finished auditions for marching band and band placements, and my band director has put me in marching band on clarinet and in symphonic band on clarinet. Symphonic Orchestra, our highest band (and a new class next year), is something I also got into, and again my band director didn`t want me to play bass clarinet. So he said I could play clarinet or oboe. So here I am, "oboe sounds like it could be a lot of fun."
Problem:
I`m going to play an instrument I`ve never played before, and as far as I know (correct me if I`m wrong), oboes play similiarly to flutes and clarinets, and they usually have very fast, more dificult parts. Well...compared to a bass clarinet. I really want to try it. Do you think I could play it and not make a fool of myself? I`m very willing to practice. Very Willing please reply!

Well, I don`t play oboe, but if you`re willing to work hard at it you can do it.

You should do well. You have many foundational skills that you can build on using double reeds. The other factor is your willingness to work hard and practice - something you are apparently willing to do.

I can`t recall where I heard this but it was on the radio yesterday. In an interview with a master flutist, she was asked what the biggest item holding up young musicians excelling. Her answer was unequivocal: "they don`t practice enough".

The only other suggestion is to look up an oboe teacher to help get you on your way. Private lessons will make a difference.

If you become good at oboe, be prepared for lots of phone calls. Everyone seems to need a good oboist.

Good luck.

Thank you so much. I`m working pretty hard to find a good instructor (and get my mom to pay for it)
=D

I am also about to start playing oboe! I have been playing flute for 5 years so I have no problem with the reading of music but the reed might be hard to get used to! Good luck to you! I need to try to learn in it 4 weeks. At least well enough so that I don`t sound horrible with the rest of the band.

Don`t be startled if you sound terrible and ducky at first, you have to work at it to get the right sound. You also need to have good reeds and a working instrument.