Oboe

The oboe is a unique-sounding woodwind instrument that gets its sound from a double-reed. Some people describe the sound of the oboe as sounding like a snake-charmer's flute, but in reality, the oboe can produce many different types of sounds. In order to sound your best on the oboe, however, this instrument requires very consistant practice habits. It is generally recommended that you study either flute or clarinet for a year prior to learning the oboe, however some extremely hard-working and dedicated students have succeeded with the oboe in fifth grade. Please contact your director if you have specific questions about the oboe.
 * Oboe**

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In this clip, you will hear oboe master Katherine Walsh demonstrate the oboe's unique sound. The sound comes mainly from the special double reed that is used to play the oboe.


 * Some famous oboe players are John Mack, Marcel Tabuteau, Alex Klein, and John DeLancie.
 * It is generally recommended that you study a year of flute or clarinet prior to learning the oboe
 * The oboe reeds (double reeds) are typically handmade and are more expensive than single reeds. One oboe reed can cost anywhere from $10-$20, so it is crucial that students are **very** careful when handling their oboe reeds. Even the most careful students, however, will occasionally break these very thin, very delicate reeds.
 * If you like the sound of the oboe, but would prefer to play an instrument with a more versitle tone, you may enjoy learning the clarinet or the flute instead.
 * Trivia: Many advanced oboe players learn to play an instrument call the English horn (cor anglais) in addition to their oboe. The English horn also uses a double reed and sounds a bit like a deeper, darker oboe. If you are familiar with //Peter and the Wolf//, by Prokofiev, you might remember the duck being represented by an English horn.

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