Hello everybody!!!

I am taking a beginning woodwind class and part of my assignment is to `interview` an oboe player. I don`t know anyone who plays so I came here. I am just starting out on oboe myself.

What I need you to do is tell me about how you got started on the oboe. Did you learn through private lessons or a class setting? Did you start on an instrument before the oboe or is this your first instrument? Also what methods did you use when you were learning oboe?
Also, tell me about your difficulties and challenges in starting out. If you have any tips on beginning this instrument let me know as well.

Thank you so much for reading this. I am hoping someone will reply so I can get this assignment done! Thankyou!!!

Ang

Well, I`m kinda tired to type tonight, but you can email me or AOL IM me- my screennames are GlueandFred and Talibanstein. <-- Inside joke for the second screenname, I`m not a supporter of the Taliban.

Hi Angela. Maybe I can be of some help.

I`m a grandfather who played sax and clarinet in high school. I took up oboe just this past November, after 30 years away from any instrumental music.

Why the oboe? Because I love Baroque music, and the sound of the oboe, and I knew I wouldn`t be happy until I took it up and played like Ray Still (ho-ho).

I have had a few private lessons, but have discontinued them. I found at this point in my development I only needed an instructor to verify that my instrument was basically good. I know I`ll be looking to hook up with a professional oboist later on. I`ve gotten a LOT of good information on the Web. One university professor has been kind enough to answer a question by e-mail. For instruction books, I`m using the Gekeler and Rubank methods.

Difficulties and challenges? I thought I knew woodwinds, but double reeds are a different animal. My biggest challenge right now is learning how to adjust store-bought reeds (they`re SO inconsistent); I`m sure one day I`ll have to make my own. My other challenges are strengthening my embouchure (old and flabby after 30 years) and my breathing. It was a big surprise to learn that oboists have to learn how to breathe OUT as well as in.

Tips? As far as having a good beginning instrument, I use the Yamaha YOB-211. The workmanship and sound are very good; in all of my Web searches, it was the one instrument consistently recommended in its price category. Of course, it`s not a "full-conservatory" oboe, but I don`t need one right now.

Another tip: If you`re looking for a private teacher, find someone for whom the oboe is a specialty, not just something they "double on" along with flute or any other woodwind.

I hope you find this useful (and not TOO unusual).

Bob

Angela,

I will try and shed light on your situation. I started the oboe through band (About 5th Grade) and learned through a class setting and eventually got a teacher and slowly moved up from there.

The Piano was my first instrument. I felt the piano really just set the laying blocks for my musical development and advancement. Almost all musician`s start on piano.

I used the Barret Method Book which is a very good book that will teach you a lot about articulations, etc. And I am still learning (tip: learning NEVER STOPS) You will always learn about new techniques (from other oboists, musician`s) to work on your reeds and you will experiment.

I suggest when first beginning perhaps start up piano if you never played it, it`s a good time to start. I also suggest buying the Barret Method Book. Also, getting a private teacher either a specialist oboe who just does oboe or a band director (good for BEGINNGERS, ONLY). And if you advance maybe once you hit High School move up to more of a better oboe than the standard student models. Hope this Helps!

CHRIS