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The Modern Classical Oboe

Ranked #2,351 in Music, #67,534 overall

Finding Your Tonal Concept and Instrument

The oboe begins and ends with the sound.   By combining your tonal concept with the right equipment: oboe, reeds, technique and style, you will be able to bring voice to your musical imagination. 

Oboe Tone: commentary and humor

Training your ear and expanding your imagination

Of course tone is subjective, but you don't want to be a minority of one.

Educate your ears with the following recordings. Attend live concerts. The suggested CDs feature the sounds of some of the most highly regarded and highly paid players in the American style.

As for the instrument, you need the best one that you can afford. I recommend an "Artist Quality" instrument. This is an instrument that a pro would play.

Most professional oboes are purchased through dealers. These companies are typically owned, operated and staffed by highly skilled oboists and repairmen who add value to the purchase. They ensure that the instrument is in proper playing condition, offer maintenance and repairs and often warranties for some types of problems. They can provide professional advice on the care of the instrument and help you to select an instrument that meets your needs.

Classic Oboe Recordings- develop your concept

or just enjoy the music

For a more complete selection of solo and chamber music recordings made by these and other renowned oboists click here.
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Classic Recordings Continued

If you are more of a chamber music person, you may want to click here for addtional suggestions. On the other hand, if you fancy the oboe in the orchestra there is more than enough beautiful reptoire. And don't write off jazz oboe until you have tried it!
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So You're shopping for an oboe

What to keep in mind

  • Whether you shop on eBay, at a specialized dealer, or are considering a private sale or direct sale from a maker, always negotiate a trial period. Have your teacher and/or repairman evaluate the instrument. Play the oboe in your ensembles. Make some reeds for the instrument. Compare it with other oboes: yours, your teacher's, your colleagues'.
  • Consider resale value. An "Artist Quality" instrument retains value and may even appreciate. Student models depreciate rapidly, some becoming almost worthless.
  • Remember that the best repairmen work on the best instruments.
  • Wait to sell your old instrument. New wooden instruments may need a break-in period or may crack. It's possible that for some very good reason the new oboe isn't as workable as you thought.
  • Don't test the oboe with your most forgiving reed. Use a reed that is a little closed yet still responsive. Let the oboe do all the work, not the reed. If the low notes don't play, that's information.
  • Keep an open mind.
  • You can't compare an oboe to a memory. Have both oboes when comparing.
  • Start with the answers to the following: what is my budget; would I prefer a wooden or plastic instrument;am I looking for a new or used instrument; am I better off with a student or professional model?
  • Student oboes can be a sensible option for very young beginners. The instruments are lighter and less valuable so loss that and damage are not as alarming.
  • You can't compare one oboe.
  • You usually get what you pay for.
  • Use good judgment. Satisfy yourself that the instrument is not stolen and make your purchase wisely. If in doubt, a few places that maintain databases of reported lost or stolen instruments are: the International Double Reed Society, American Federation of Musicians, law enforcement agencies and instrument makers or dealers.

What are the "Artist Quality" instruments and why should I consider one?

  • The typical Artist Quality oboes are made by: Loree, Laubin, Yamaha, Howarth,
  • "Artist Quality" instruments feel, sound and respond like real oboes.
  • "Artist Quality" instruments can improve and enhance your playing. These instruments can educate your ear and muscles.
  • "Artist Quality" instruments are manufactured to higher standards and are finished with greater skill and detail.
  • "Artist Quality" instruments have all the keys.
  • "Artist Quality" instruments are made for professionals.
  • Why play on less?
  • "Artist Quality" instruments typically need fewer repairs, excluding cracks which can be managed or avoided.
  • You will get all or some of your money back when you decide to sell.
  • Unlike some other instruments the price difference between an "Artist Quality" instrument and a student oboe is not overwhelming and the difference in quality can be.

Some Oboe Dealers/Makers the Pros Use

WEBER REEDS
WEBER REEDS : Welcome to WEBER REEDS Online Store! Documents, Accessories, Books, Music, Videos, Cane, Compact Discs, Instruments and Bells. Reed Cases, Reed Making Equip., Reeds, Services, Supplies, Oboes, English horns
Mark Chudnow Woodwinds - Sales & service of double reeds, Oboes, English Horn & Oboe D'amore.
Specializing in the sales and service of English Horn, Oboe, and Oboe D'amore. Carrying a full line of cane and accessories for double reed instruments, English horns, Oboes d'amore.
RDG Woodwinds - Supplier for Bassoon, Clarinet and Oboe Supplies
RDG Woowdinds is the top supplier for all your woodwinds supplies.
The McFarland Double Reed Shop
The McFarland Double Reed Shop
Paul Covey
Welcome to Covey Oboes.
Makers of the fine Covey oboe, we are also the oboists' source for oboe reeds, oboe cane, tube cane, reed-making tools, knives, music, Fox Renard 330 oboes, and many other products and information needed by the professional, amateur, and/or budding students.
MDRS: Manufacturers
Manufacturers of oboes and double reed equipment
Howarth of London - Oboe Makers - Clarinet Makers - Woodwind Specialists
Woodwind, Instrument, Maker, Specialist, oboe, oboes, reeds, hautbois
Bells Are Ringing - Introducing the Decker Oboe Bell
Bells Are Ringing
- Introducing the Decker Oboe BellCynthia GreenThe addition of the bell at the lower
end of some woodwinds reflects efforts over the years to provide
the bore with a radiating system that approximates the behavior
of a row of open holes even when all the holes are closed.
Oboe - Musik Josef
Musik Josef is the only maker in Japan specialized in oboe. This site includes product gallery of oboe and english horn.
A. Laubin Hand-crafted Oboes and English Horns
A. Läubin, Inc. · 638 Central Avenue · Peekskill, New York 10566 · 914-737-3778

A Specialist In Used Oboes, English horns, and Oboe D'Amores

Hannah's Oboes and English horns

Hannah's Oboes and English horns

Hannah of hannahsoboes.com is a dedicated professional devoted to helping those in need of an oboe, especially that tricky find: a good used, affordable oboe. As the self-described "oboe fairy" she will do the utmost to locate the right instrument--or person with the instrument for you. Jason Onks, Larry Mueller, and David Weber perform the bench work on her oboes, meaning that the oboes are in top form when they go out to you for trial. Give her a call, she'll be happy to make your acquaintance.

Yamaha oboes for beginners and intermediate levels

when you don't think it's appropriate to purchase the "Artist Quality Instrument"

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The Used Laubin, very rare indeed

You never know, keep an eye out and you may get lucky

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The used Loree oboe

often the best alternative to the new "Artist Quality" Instrument

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Additional Resources for Oboists

follow the buzz on instruments

Welcome to IDRS
Welcome to IDRS
International Double Reed Society
The worldwide organization of double reed (oboe and bassoon family) players, instrument manufacturers and enthusiasts.
Instrument purchase and care
This is the Oboe Studio Homepage at the Arizona State University School of Music - Martin Schuring, Assistant Professor of Oboe.
BDRP Double Reed Suppliers - A-Z - A Service of Brian's Double Reed Page
Brian's Double Reed Page. More than just a page, more of an encyclopedia really. Luckily it is in an archive!
Midwest Musical Imports. Oboes, English Horns, Bassoons, Flutes.
Oboe and bassoon specialists since 1983. We sell double reed accessories to fit every need. New and used oboes, bassoons, English horns, oboes d'amore available. Makes include Loree, Fox, Renard, Fossati, Patricola, Howarth, Cabart.
Cocobolo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cocobolo From Wikipedia:
Cocobolo is a hardwood from Central America yielded by two to four closely related species of the genus Dalbergia.
Intrument Serial Numbers by Maker
Serial numbers for a variety of brands of instruments.
Oboe Sound Gallery
Famous players.
Peter Hurd Buying an Oboe
Peter Hurd buys, sells, and restores high-quality oboes, horns, and other various reed instruments
Oboe Making In The United States: A. Laubin, Inc.
Oboe Making In The United States:
A. Läubin, Inc.by Peter J. BukalskiIntroduction
Interview;Comments by Läubin players
Midwest Musical Imports. Oboes, English Horns, Bassoons, Flutes.
Compare prices on some major brands and information on wood types.
ABCP--Welcome to the African Blackwood Conservation Project Home Page
The African Blackwood Conservation Project(ABCP) is a grass-roots effort to replenish this tree in Tanzania.
A. Laubin, Inc. - Serial Numbers
1931: #1- present

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annoboe

Ann Rosandich is an experienced professional oboe performer, teacher and reedmaker.  She was appointed solo English horn of the New Mexico Symphony... more »

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