yes it was hard to play at first. it takes a few weeks to get used to the reed ... i`ve been playing the oboe for 1 1/2 years now . my band teacher does not know how to play the oboe so she doesn`t know any of my fingerings! but somehow i`m actually ahead of EVERYONE in our band ! no body practices they just think `` this is too hard i want to quit!`` did i mention i`m the only oboe player in my whole entire school district ! so i never r play with other oboes .last year was my first year ( but don`t think i suck ) and i went to the 2nd anuiel band directors association thing ... that was my very first time playing with other oboes! it was awsome ... see my school is into the athetic ... i`ve made the physical fittness award EVERY year . well i hope you got to know a little bit of me ! i`m not giong to tell much else about me ok? well i have a few tips like TAP YOUR FOOT and COUNT PRACITICE , PARTICIPAT WHEN YU PLAY A PIECE WITH OTHERS , these are just a few things ... i can`t think of any ... trust me!

I started playing the oboe a year ago. If you go by doing the essential elements book, it`s not that hard.

Hey,
I decided to take up the oboe as a secondary instrument about a week ago. I`ve been playing flute for about 5 years now so I was told the oboe would be a good secondary for me. I just picked up my oboe and reeds today and it sounds ummm interesting. It`s difficult but I`ve been practicing all day. Slowly but surely I can hear improvement. I say go for it.

I am just going to start the oboe. I have been taking flute for about 4 and a half year and piano for about a year. My band director said that I would be good to move to oboe. I just recieved the oboe and reed. So far I kno how to put it together and where my fingers are supposed to go lol. I looked online for how to play it cause obviously I dont know how. I found a site that told me to put my whole mouth over the reed and onto the strings(just to start without attaching it to the oboe yet) and blow into it to produce a "crow" but evrytime I try I just dont make any noise...I think it is just because I am blowing wrong or something. So to my point...How do you make noise!! please, I want to get started...and so far its not working.

Well, you didn`t mention it, so just to make sure...the reed has to be soaked first and not just in it`s hard wood-like state. If you already have it soaked and still can`t get a sound while trying to crow it, then just put your mouth how it says to actually play (closer to the tip than the threads) and try that. It is very possible that either 1) you don`t have a good reed and 2) you already broke the reed. Everybody goes through reeds really fast when they first start, so don`t worry too much about that. It would be best to find yourself an oboe teacher because you will learn every aspect of the oboe (that the teacher knows )a lot faster. Best of luck!

Thanks for the info. The other oboe player at my skool will be teaching me. He made me a reed....god I would feel bad if I broke it alrdy. Yes, I knew it had to be soaked...i guess i forgot to type that in. I tryed it but it doesnt make any sound what so ever. Its gettting me fustrated...if it isnt good or i broke it i will pprobably find out on Tuesday.

I have a question,
What is a "crow" supposed to sound like? Thanks, Dana

I wouldn`t recommend playing the oboe and flute at the same time. The oboe pretty much requires your undivided attention. It`s hard to play, it sometimes is frustrating. You`re right, it is a pretty sounding instrument. However, I wouldn`t recommend your endeavor.

Ok, I figured out how to make sound! hehe I`m sry if u think that I shouldnt be playing the oboe just because I play other instruments. The other oboeist in my skool is teaching me and he is confident in me learning how to play. I will spend alot of time on the oboe because I love music. I play flute and I have been for 4 1/2 years, piano for about a year and guitar for about 4 months as well as chorus which I have been in since the first year that I was allowed to. As far as the oboe my skool needs an oboe player because there is only one and he is a senior. I love the instument and I will practice as much as I could.

is the oboe hard 2 play?think of it like this....u r at the bottom of a mountain and u have 2 run 2 the top while keeping your lips pressed and tight,your foot tapping gently,you have 2 carry a tiny cocktail straw in your mouth,take large breaths,u can oly breathe every 45 seconds,and u have 2 keep the straw at the right angle.....but the flute takes a TON of air,so u`ll have no problem witht that......what might mess u up if fingerings and embochure.....but hey,if u work hard u can do it!

Thanks Betsy.
I had an oboe lesson and I can make sound. I`m working on the Cromatic scale now...The fingerings won`t mess me up...for now anyways hehe. It`s just like when I started the piano or the guitar or the flute I just have to learn a new set of fingerings...they will come easy. I will and am working on my embrosure though. Does anyone know a good place to buy reeds? or is it best to just have my friend make them?

ive been playing clairinet for 3 yrs, and this year i switched to base clairinet. I hate it! the parts are so boring so i want to switch to the oboe, becuz i love the sound. I am an experienced ww player. s this a god idea?

Get over your self and just pick one. We don`t want to listen to your stupid problems or listen to you brag. Many of us like bass clarinets and just because you suck at it doesnt make it a bad instrument.

I am a French Horn player but I have always had an interest in the Oboe and i as wondering if swtiching would be impossible.

I have a question that may sound really stupid but i`m curious. I know it all depends but, If a person starts oboe and practices everyday how long do you think it takes for the person to get fairly good? I know that is a very broad question but does anyone have like an estamite?