The oboe is part of double reed woodwind family. It is commonly used in an orchestra, concert bands, chamber ensembles or solo work. It is quite popular in classical music, chamber music and film scores. The tone is very distinctive and bright. The oboe is recognized as the instrument that tunes an orchestra with its unique A note.
The oboe is considered to be a challenging instrument to play. It takes a lot of directed air and support to create a good tone.
Musical taste and instrument choice is a personal preference. Following are a few famous and skilled musicians that have played the Oboe.
Marcel Tabuteau – Marcel was a French-American that was the principal oboist for the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is considered to be the founder of the American school of oboe playing. Tabuteau taught at the Curtis Institute of Music from 1925-1954.
Albrecht Mayer – Albrecht is a German classical player that is the principal oboist for the Berlin Philharmonic. He is internationally known as a soloist, chamber musician and recording artist.
Katherine Needleman – Katherine has been the principal oboist for the Baltimore Symphony since 2003. As a soloist she has appeared with some of the most recognized orchestras playing in some of the worlds’ finest concert halls. She served on the facility at the Peabody Conservatory from 2005-2020.
The oboe has 3 main sections, the upper joint, lower joint and bell. When putting the sections together you should apply cork grease so the parts slide together easily. The reed will also require some grease to fit the reed and the upper joint together. Oboe reeds are fragile. It is important to soak the reed for 3-4 minutes in room temperature water.
It is important to be careful when handling an oboe. The keys and rods are easily bent that could result in a costly repair. It is best to contact your school music director or local music store representative with any questions about handling or proper use of maintenance accessories.
