I have been playing euphonium on and off for 10 years. But I love oboe very much and am always interested to learn this instrument. I know oboe is hard to play, and I don't have much time to practise as I work full-time and have my postgrad studies.
Is it possible to start playing oboe as a beginner? Or I should stick to euphonium? How much time shall I commit to learn oboe? Thanks for your advice.
2007-09-08 07:56:29 · 5 answers · asked by Jonathan L 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
It is a completely different embouchure and skill set, but it is not impossible. I think the other information you provided is more telling however. If you work full time and have postgraduate studies, this may not be the best time to take on an additional discipline. It might be less nerve racking and give you a better chance of success if you wait until your commitment load was a little less full.
In the meantime, you might want to pick up a chanter or a shawm. These ancient forerunners of the oboe are a little less daunting and can be approached from a slightly less daunting learning curve. As a matter of fact, I would recommend starting with a recorder, pennywhistle, or even ancient flute. Exploring the world of folk instruments can be every bit as fulfilling and can lead you to interesting groups such as recorder and medieval societies.
When you get through with college and things settle down a bit, you can work the more time consuming oboe into your life gradually if you still wish to do so. Remember that the back pressure can sometimes be daunting, especially if you have sinus of migraine problems. They are also much more expensive to own, since the reeds and pads are more fragile than pistons, valves and mouthpieces. I am not trying to put the oboe down in any way, just trying to give you a realistic set of expectations.
2007-09-08 08:13:05 · answer #1 · answered by MUDD 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You're never too old to start a new instrument. But the oboe isn't the easiest instrument to play, so you will need to really work on it.. and definitely have an instructor. Oboe is a wonderful choice!
2007-09-08 08:10:12 · answer #2 · answered by kaisergirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can definitely still learn another instrument.
I've played clarinet for 11 years, then the last 2 years I picked up trombone and bassoon when my band needed those specified instruments.
You don't have to "stick" to one instrument. You just have to have the desire to learn a new one and work at it. It all depends on what you want to do. If you want to learn oboe, go for it! =)
2007-09-08 10:27:22 · answer #3 · answered by Frome 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a former brass man myself, no, it is not unrealistic. But are you going to have to really work at it!
If you are NOT going to put forth the effort, it's not worth picking up. You're better off just enjoying the oboe through recordings.
2007-09-09 02:26:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what the answer is to this.
I started on clarinet for a year, switched to french horn and played it for 7 years.
During my second year on french horn I took on violin, flute, sax, and trumpet in different performing groups.
Later after I kept playing french horn, my director needed the bassoon, and I signed up for private lessons and went through college on the bassoon.
It is possible to switch from brass to a double reed but it is very very different as far as the correct way to play the instrument, everything from your mouth, to the fingerings, and especially being a double-reed player you have to invest quite a bit of money eventually into tools to make your own reeds.
Good Luck.
2007-09-15 16:55:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋