Is it possible for me to just buy an oboe reed to try to make a sound on? I am thinking of switching from flute to oboe. Should I try to play the clarinet first? Thanks!

Yes, you can buy just an oboe reed. That's what I did.

No reason to try clarinet first, unless you are interested in clarinet too.

Awesome, but playing the clarinet wouldn't help. Yes, buy a reed - you should be able to get a sound out of it. Don't worry if that sound isn't that great the first time you play it in an oboe though. Practise is vital.

i still pick up my clarinet once in awhile... is that bad for me since i'm on the oboe?

I've played flute and Saxophone and oboe. Flute and oboe take up a lot of air *_*. Saxophone didn't really help me at all.