The student oboe typically has less keys, e.g., no left F key. The following web page will provide more detailed information on selecting an oboe.

http://www.public.asu.edu/~schuring/Oboe/instruments.html

Well yes, any instrument is "hard", insofar as anything else in life! If you`re going to play an instrument, it requires dedication, many hours, and focused, efficient practice. I don`t really think there should be any "side instruments" when dealing with wind instruments, because each instrument, even within the same family of instruments requires so much different air support. To become a master on an instrument, I believe you have to dedicate yourself to that instrument. Having said that, I DO think it`s fair to want to try instruments out, you know, give them a test run before buying.
When it comes to the oboe, however, you really can`t double or play any other wind instruments on the side (except English Horn of course) and expect to improve. The embouchure required for oboe is so dramatically different from any other instrument, in that it necessitates full functionality of both lips, where as other instruments focus on bottom lip almost exclusively.
Another point I`d like to make, is that as a high school student, in Canada anyways, it`s better to focus on completing school and getting good enough marks to actually get in to post-secondary school, and keeping your oboe playing at a competitive, but still modest level, rather than trying to do too much, and overstress.
On that same level one will find that in university the best skills to have when it comes to oboe playing are efficient practice, and efficient reed-making. The endless hours that were available in high-school for practicing, and reed-making quickly get sucked away by having to attend classes, rehearsals, and lessons. The situation is worse in real-life orchestral playing.
Anyways, to anybody who`s thinking of playing the oboe, you`re in for a lot of work, but you`re also in for a lot of rewards. Playing the oboe is difficult, and at sometimes painful, but the experiences had by oboe players are unlike any other.

D-oboe

Could I start with an english horn instead of an oboe, or should i stick with the oboe, and does it make a difference if i do start with the english horn?

I have just started the oboe after 5 years on clarinet (b Flat and alto), 2 years on saxes (alto through bass), and 3 years on piano. I find that with each instrument I play it is easier...but oboe is a much harder switch than from one of the clarinets to a saxaphone. It really makes me want to practice it more! I believe it will become one of my favorite instruments!

You can only study Oboe in post-secondary, not english horn exclusively. You would be called upon to play the english horn throughout your oboe studies, but you cannot choose to play on the EH because there is simply not enough repetoire for it. Most orchestras do not hire English Hornists with oboe proficiency; rather, they hire oboists with english horn proficiency. Having said that, there are a lot of professionals who play only English Horn, and that`s fine. I bet you had to play the oboe for many years though.
I`d say stick to oboe.

Oboe was easy for me to learn, but I`d never say that I was good at it. Having a piece of crap school instrument to use didn`t help either.

Hi
I just started playing oboe about a month ago and I love it.

I`ve already cracked a reed but my dad got me new ones. On one of them I can`t play an F and it`s getting me worried because i can play it on my other uncracked reed. I`m wondering if I should just not use the reed or keep trying. It also gets me really discouraged. What should I do?

As a beginner... yes.

But... that oboe [or bassoon] can get ya a college scholarship as well.

The oboe is fun... as long as you`re in tune. [How often is that when you`re playing side by side with another oboe?!!!]

It`s really fun and new.

It just depends if you`re willing to put into it.

Oh... might I ask something that I`ve forgotten?

Anyways... I`m in the 8th grade and next year is my 1st year in high school.

I`ve deciding whether I should/want to join the marching or not.

If yes... then what instrument should I pick up?

I`m thinking of the flute... since I`m beginning to learn to play it. I got used to the flute since last year, a few notes here and there...

So... if I am to decide that I am... which intrument?

Not at all. Its quite easy to play; however, its hard to play well.

When you start out, it`ll probably sound like a duck, and unlike instruments, you gotta really start getting good until you produce a decent tone.

Leo`s right, it`s not hard to play the oboe. Just takes some dedication, some hard work, a good oboe, and good quality reeds. Oh yeah and a tuner, because oboes are easily out of tune if you don`t play it right.

Hey ,
the OBOE rocks guys. I play 2 instruments being the flute and oboe. I`ve played the flute for 4yrs and started the oboe about a month ago and I seem to get more creditation from my teachers when i play the oboe rather than my flute. i don`t want to give up my flute, but I love the oboe and the attention from my teachers (LOL). What can I do?

BECK

Hey everyone! I`m thinking about playing the oboe, and wondering if anyone knew any good brands? And do they make oboes that are plastic that arent student ones? And if they do, what are some good brands of plastic instruments, if there are any?

Hi,
I`ve noticed that several folks on this thread have either switched from clarinet to oboe or are playing it as well - I`ve been playing the clarinet for nearly two years now and am facinated by the oboe - is it very different from the clarinet (apart from it`s sound of course !) ?
I have fairly small hands and little feeling in my left thumb and index finger which make playing the clarinet extra specially interesting - I wonder if I would find the oboe less difficult ?
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Thanks
Sue
Ps - I`m a mature player - myt school days are a very distant memory !

Small hands are perfect for oboe. i have long fingrs and its really a bad thing.