An oboe is a woodwind instrument that resembles a clarinet. It has a double reed. Clarinets and saxophones have single reeds -- a double reed is like a single reed folded in half (like a hotdog bun!).

Oboes make a very unique sound. When you first start learning how to play, it sounds like you are strangling a goose -- not that I have actually strangled a goose myself!

Not many people play the oboe, at least not many that I know. There are a few different kinds of oboes: beginner oboes are usually plastic and don't sound as good as professional ones. Professional, or full conservatory, oboes are often made out of wood. Some might have a good-quality plastic on the upper joint because they are more prone to cracking.

My oboe is a Rigitaut Delphine, and is wooden on the two bottom joints. It produces a better tone than my old, all-plastic one.

Many oboe players, after they have played for some time, choose to make their own reeds, because store-bought reeds aren't specially made to fit your mouth. To do this, you have to buy cane and cut it and shave it to your liking. You also have to tie it on to the cork. I haven't started on making my own reeds yet, so I don't know about that step. I hope to start making my own reeds this summer, but it will take some time before they will play well.

Oboe is my life, and performing is one of my favorite things to do. It comes naturally to me, as does playing the oboe. I want to play with a symphony or an orchestra. Right now, I'm only 14, so I still have a lot to learn.

Curious about other orchestral instruments? The cousin to the oboe is the English Horn, which is like an alto version of the oboe. It plays in the key of F, like the French Horn (and for those of you who are wondering, the oboe plays in concert pitch -- it is a C instrument, like the flute). The bassoon is not really an oboe, but uses double reeds, only a different kind (more wide than long). There is also the Bass Oboe: I haven't gotten the opportunity to hold or play one, but I would really like to. I have seen pictures and I think that it is the niftiest looking thing EVER.

My new band director told me that an oboe should never be without vibrato. Vibrato is like pulsing the air with your diaphragm. It is a very difficult skill that I am slowly mastering. From what I understand, an electronic machine can imitate every instrument except for an oboe. So if a machine is performing a piece of music, there would have to be an oboe player playing with it!

I hope this gives you more information about the very unique oboe. If you are choosing instruments, I can assure you that not many people will pick this one.

Goin to Practice, do DO da DO!
~LilOboeAl~