but she`s only four years old. I`m assuming that`s too young but am I wrong? Would you recommend she start trying something else, a recorder, for instance, and then move on to the oboe in a few years, assuming it`s not just a passing phase? At what age would you recommend someone beginning oboe lessons? Is there anything else I should know?

Thank you!

Heidi

In just a short while, you`ll get some very detailed and really professional replies. I`ve just played oboe for 3 years as a teen. I believe children, say under 10? are too young. At 4, the child`s hands are definitely too small to do the fingering, and I think that even applies to the recorder, which you could try for starters anyhow. Double reeds are also difficult to blow on, requiring some muscle tone (lips, facial & diaphragm), and maturity.

I agree, but I also suggest starting out with recorder or perhaps just piano. Piano is a good beginner instrument because it doesn`t require air but it will help development your childs overall musical skills. I would start Oboe around 10-12 range and try to start beginner lessons as soon as your chhild starts the Oboe. But this is probably a phase but you never know. Hope this helps!

CHRIS

P.S. If you need anymore help feel free to e-mail at Shoko2@hotmail.com

(please don`t do this)
I would make like a miniature oboe so that she could reach everything and practice fingerings on, then when she gets older she can play on a real oboe.

once again please don`t do this, it is just a silly idea that i came up with.

I started playing when I was 8 years old and that was allright, but further I really agree with the others.

I also agree with the other replies. I started to learn the oboe at 7 years old and I still play for pleasure.
However I started to play the recorder much earlier, from blowing on my older sisters as a toddler ( when I got hold of it), to lessons which started as with all the class, when I started infant school (5 years old ).
The fingering for the oboe is extremely similar to that of the recorder especially the first octave you learn. The difficulty I had even at 5 was covering the holes, but may I suggest an irish whistle as the holes are closer together. Happy listening.

ok i am only like 13 years old and just started the oboe last year. i picked it up i like 2 seconds flat let her try it she could do it!!!

I started playing the oboe when I was 9 which was fine for me, but I would say 4 is too young. You won`t be able to get the best out of playing any wind instrument until you are around 21 and your lungs and diaphragm have fully grown so at the age of 4 you will definately not have the stamina or lung capacity. One of my friends who is very talented started when she was around 7, but we are both the same standard now even though I started two years later, so there isn`t any need to start very early.
I started playing the recorder when I was 5 which helped a lot because I learnt how to read music, so didn`t have to spend time going over the notes when I started playing the oboe. It also helped my ear into being able to tell whether notes were sharp or flat because I was playing notes from a young age. Although people have said your daughter`s hands may be too small for the recorder, I would say they would be fine because I never had any problems when I started.

I think the soonest she should start is age 6. Oboe is easy for some but I don`t think she could do good with a double reed until she`s at least 7. I don`t know.. she could try, but I would wait.

I would wait untill about the 5th grade...which is what...10 or 11ish? Untill then I would recomend piano. It will teach her music skills. And childeren at that age want to do many things...a decent oboe is quite an investment...who knows if she will grow out of it or not..

FYI do not but a Selmer or Buffet Oboe...

death to selmer.....

oh wait, i have a selmer! yeah and it SUCKS!!!!

she can get help from eagle point

Oboechick, we finally come together. Our names are so similar, I have mentioned you with high esteem before.

So, humans should not try oboe until 8 - 10 years old, and the first consideration is the size of hands. Gorillas grow much faster but are unable to master the double reed.

wow .. I like how some stuff gets twisted around..

What?? Selmer sucks?? I don`t believe so!! BOTH the selmer oboes I`ve had are just fine and dandy!

hey i`m 12 and i play oboe. your 4 year old is wayyy too young to play oboe. it was soooooo hard in the beginning. dont even think about it. just say no, maybe when you are older. if she cries, buy her a barbie. how do i know this?? well, my sibling now plays violin and she cried when she didn`t get her way at first. now my mom will do anything for her. sad, is`nt it? BFN Allison