How to Play Oboe for Beginners

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Categories: Learn To Play | How Tos

  • Introduction

    Witnessed In recordings or at live concerts, the sound of the oboe can be haunting and unforgettable. If you've fallen in love with the sound and want to learn to produce it yourself, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Find a Quality Teacher

    • The oboe is not the easiest instrument to learn. A good teacher will give you a foundation in the proper technique and monitor your progress carefully. Look for one by contacting
    1. Area music schools and conservatories.
    2. Music-oriented community websites
    3. Area universities or colleges
    • Some schools may
    1. Have age or aptitude requirements.
    2. Offer financial aid or discounted lessons
    3. Offer group lessons
    4. Follow a semester schedule
    • As you will be just starting out, take care to consider
    1. Cost
    2. Convenience of location
    3. Schedule

  • Step 2: Find a Quality Instrument

    • Get as much input as possible from
    1. Your new teacher
    2. Music store staff
    3. Musician relative or friend
    • Scour
    1. Music stores (Try to find a store that can guarantee and/or repair the flute as well.)
    2. Internet community sites
    3. Local music school bulletin boards
    • Consider thoughtfully
    1. New instruments
    2. Used instruments
    • Consider instrument
    1. Maker
    2. Age and materials
    3. Replacement reeds
    • It is not recommended to buy an oboe sight unseen. It is critical to see quality and condition of the interest before you lay out any money.

  • Step 3: Get to Know Your Oboe

    • It is highly recommended to become familiar with your oboe, how it feels and how it works. Ideally, it will eventually become an extension of you.
    1. Examine the oboe visually. Get to know all of its parts. If you feel confident enough, assemble and disassemble it.
    2. Handle your oboe (carefully). Experience the temperature, the texture of the wood or plastic.
    3. Practice depressing and releasing the keys. Imagine what it would be like to have to finger them very fast or very slowly.
    4. Place your mouth on the double reed.
    5. Blow gently, then with more force. Experience the sound that results from varying the amount of air that passes through the instrument.
    • Be careful with your new oboe! You will not want to damage it before you even start with lessons.

  • Step 4: Get to Know Basic Theory

    • Learning fingering and what to do with your lips will take a lot of attention. Give yourself a head start by learning the basics of music theory. Get to know
    1. Time signature
    2. Bass and treble clef
    3. Note values (whole, half, quarter, etc.)
    4. Scales
    5. Dynamics

  • Step 5: Commit to Daily Practice

    • Sources assert that practicing for just 20 minutes every day will ensure more steady progress than devoting one hour to your instrument three times per week. Do your best to spend some time at it each day.

  • Conclusion

    • Starting to play the oboe may take a certain fortitude. Results will not be instant, but take heart. With a good instructor, a quality oboe, and daily practice, you will be taking daily steps toward greater proficiency.

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