Starting Oboe?

Hey guys,

I play the flute, organ and piano and was thinking of starting a new instrument. I've heard that the oboe is supposed to be similar to the flute fingering wise so i thought that would be a good instrument to start with (plus I read somewhere on this forum that it is a better instrument to play as far as getting into orchestras is concerned due to a lack of players).

Just wondering what your thoughts were on whether this is a good idea or not, and how oe would go about playing the oboe (in general of course! :P)

Thanks,

Ferret

Oboe is not necessarily the best step to take after playing flute, since there is a considerable difference in the air; on the flute you never have enough air, while on the oboe you always seem to have too much. They are polar opposites in that respect.

I would actually advise learning saxophone or clarinet before moving to oboe.

I would actually advise learning saxophone or clarinet before moving to oboe.

... says someone who plays them all and considers it not the slightest handicap to move from one to another, to another, and another... and is used to this. IF you were to go with saxophone or clarinet first, I'd go with sax. You might start getting confused with the fingerings between clarinet and flute and oboe, clarinet is an oddball since it overblows at the 12th. But really, I don't see why you shouldn't just move from one to the other. I would just advise pairing up with somebody (I.E. local teacher or accomplished friend) that can cue you in on any bad habits you might develop and help you correct them.

OK Thanks for some of the feedback guys :)

This is really useful; when i get to college I'll see what instruments the woodwind teacher can play and then i'll make my decision then...

Thank you very much for the feedback (I hadn't considered the airflow into the instrument flint :whistling:)

Thanks,

Ferret