Hi. I'm an elementary school cellist, lifelong singer, and 20-year pianist. I had a couple of lessons on the clarinet and oboe when I was in highschool. Now, I'd like to learn to play the oboe. It's always been my favorite band instrument.

However, I'll be in the mountains for the summer and want to start on something that will help me build up some wind and learn oboe fingerings. I've read a lot of debate on whether its easier to go from flute to oboe, or from clarinet to oboe.

I'm leaving next week and would like to choose one of them to start on. I had originally thought clarinet, but my brother said that all his band teachers at school said to start on flute. Maybe the answer is that one isn't better or easier than the other.

As oboists, what is your opinion on this? Start on flute, or oboe, or something else? Keep in mind, I'll mostly be learning this on my own until I return in September and start oboe lessons.

Thanks!!!

When I started to play an instrument, I started directly on the oboe. I think this might be easiest because then you will be able to get used to the "double embouchure" that you will need to become a good player. However, if you wanted to start on a different instrument, I would go with the flute. I learned to play the flute after i learned the oboe though, but I found that the fingerings are very similar. I don't play the clarinet, but my oboe teacher told me that the embouchure for the clarinet is almost the opposite of the embouchure for the oboe. She also said saxophone is a good instrument for oboe players to double on. I hope I can help
Oboegirl