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(Dan)
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I`m somewhat renewing the subject of "y do so many people hate the oboe?" because that particular forum died (sadly, lol). I`ve been playing the oboe for almost 5 years. When I began, I was horrible, as many oboe players were. There was no guidance in my playing because none of my band directors knew how to play! However, when I was in 7th grade, I had a senior from the HS come in and work with me. By 8th grade, I had been chosen to play for the City Band, which is awesome, cause we got paid! Hehe... I was told I had developed a beautiful sound and was offered two solos. Sadly, I had to turn them down because my family and I moved to Alabama (not funny!).
Upon playing in my new band, I was asked to play for the Junior College in town, and was even asked to audition for the Montgomery Youth Orchestra and All State. I couldn`t that year because of the lack of transportation my parents could provide. However, this year (sophomore!) I`m determined to audition for All State, and next year, when I get my liscence, I`ll be able to audition for the Montgomery Youth Orchestra. I`m constantly told I`m an excellent player and sit first chair over a senior and a junior...why? Because when I first started playing, I was constantly made fun of as well. Some people had even went to an oboe joke site that had hundreds of cruel oboe jokes. However, I was determined. With the help of that HS player, I learned how to control basically my whole body when I play (cause that`s what oboe players have to do! Double reed instruments are the most difficult to master, which is why most lazy people wanna play the trumpet or flute! It`s true! We`re also top pick for college scholorships cause there are very few of us in the professional world!). I listened to professional oboe players and did my best to get my tone under control. Not to mention I PRACTICED! I practiced hours a day. In my 8th grade year, I hadn`t heard a single joke about my playing and some people even considered trying the oboe themselves. Hard work and determination pay off!
I understand that the first year or two is difficult...you play loud (and no matter what we think, it sounds really bad, really, try recording yourself!), we`re hard to tune because you can`t just simply pull your reed up if you`re sharp or down if you`re flat because it`s all in the mouth, and yes, it sounds like a duck.
Don`t worry to all you beginners, it gets better. I have fun playing now because I know I sound good and that gives me room to experiment with my playing: verbrato, tone, pitching, etc. But like I said, it`s because it takes time. Oh, and if you have to join marching band, they don`t allow oboes...so do anything humanly possible to get into pit or drum line because if you even think about playing another instrument, your embachur is gonna be so messed up by the time indoor season rolls around and you won`t be able to play for a few months. Trust me, I learned the hard way. Anyways...lets talk oboe!
**salutes**
~Dan
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