Hi, I'm a college saxophone and clarinet major who recently picked up a student model oboe. I was wondering what reeds anyone suggest for me and my new adventure into the world of oboe.

Finding decent oboe reeds is a challenge. Hence, some oboists make their own reeds.

You should start with some inexpensive beginner medium reeds. Try Fox or Charles. Woodwind & Brasswind sells Fox, & you can buy Charles reeds directly or on eBay.


http://www.wwbw.com

http://www.charlesmusic.com

I am a saxophonist who has started oboe...I can also play flute, and clarinet, and bassoon, and trumpet, and french horn, and baritone, and tuba,and piano,and guitar..but can't play trombone. I ♥ music

I think that playing oboe and saxophone isn't that hard or unrealistic because as you may have noticed most fingerings are similar or the same.

As for reeds...I am also having a reed issue..I have these ones that come in a cylinder that I don't really care for they make it squeaky. I have been using a Jones medium and they have been working nicely for me.

Okay... I am Glad you switched to oboe.

As an Alto Saxophone player I can tell you it takes double the air.

You really need to get a teacher that makes there own reeds.

You need to blow extra hard.

You need a good solid oboe too.

Hey

My main instrument is clarinet and I have been playing it for about 11 years. I have also picked up other instruments such as alto sax, flute, and have just baught a used oboe off of ebay. It looks to be in ok condition. Not as nice as my first clarinet, but not toop bad. could use a new cork for the top joint, and a good cleaning. Just wondering if you have any tips for someone starting on oboe.

For a beginner oboist I suggest buying Jones medium reeds. That's how I started and then I switched to handmade ones. I disagree with Canadian. Oboe shouldn't take much air at all. If you blow too hard you'll end up being out of tune. Just make sure to blow fast fluid air.

I'm a saxophonist (who doesn't play the oboe) and I think oboe reeds are awesome!!!!!!!! I went to the music store today and they had some oboe reeds out for sale and I looked through it!! It's sooo weird (but in a good way) because sax reeds are flat and oboe reeds are hollow!!

(Sorry, kinda amazed at that; I'm easily entertained with these type of things)

Saxophone_sweetie, ur funny... lol. anyways, I may be a beginner oboist myself (only been playing 2 years) but i know quite a lot and i think i can help. I used to play saxophone and i know from experience that sax's actually need more air because the gap between the reed and mouthpiece on a sax is a lot bigger than the gap between oboe reeds.
My orchestra conductor is an oboe player herself and has been playing for about 30 years i think and she suggested Jones Artist reeds. i started on La Voz reeds but they are industry made and not as good as handmade reeds. i've never tried any other reeds apart from la voz. dont get them... absolute tuning horror.
I found it very easy to swap from instruments, but the only thing you should look out for when swapping from one instrument to another is embouchure. Saxophone embouchure has to have teeth on the mouthpiece on top and bottom lip curled under while oboe has both lips half curled in. also a tip for beginner oboes: DONT BITE!!!! you will get marks in ur lips and it will hurt. ur reed is meant to stay in ur mouth by the airstream not by ur lips.

i think thats all i need to say... i may think about going back to sax one day

Look into handmade reeds by oboists rather than the machine made ones you'll find in the local stores. The oboe will then be a joy (as much as it can be! )

Here are some good ones:
http://www.goodtoneguild.com
http://www.thereedery.com
http://www.webreeds.com/store/
http://www.rdgwoodwinds.com

This site has some inexpensive student reeds to start with if you are low in dough:
http://www.nielsen-woodwinds.com/