Anyone play an oboe?

smokefree · Post by **smokefree** » 13 Dec 2006 00:04

Yeah.. i doubt there is. but i thought it was worth a shot.. im needing some help with my Oboe.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 13 Dec 2006 17:56

My brother does, and he's first chair of his orchestra or whatever, and makes his own reeds and everything... maybe I can ask him something for you?

smokefree · Post by **smokefree** » 13 Dec 2006 21:24

Well my grandmother just gave me one as a gift and im unsure on how to assemble it. Its really old, like my great grandfathers or something, so im scared to mess it up. Anyway when i go to snap a piece it in it feels like i'll really have to shove with some muscle to get it to assemble but i dont know if that means its not correct or what or if i should risk forcing it in. also im unsure how to use the reeds it came with.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 14 Dec 2006 17:17

Ahh.
Well, I used to play clarinet, and the structure is very similar. It sounds to me like it is a wooden oboe, which can be worth thousands of dollars. If the pieces are not sliding together well you may need cork grease. You may also want to try to clean it out if it is gross inside. You can get really nice wire-cleaner thingies meant for your oboe.

The ombasure is probably THE most difficult for oboe of all woodwind instruments. I've tried, and even clarinet is tougher than, say, saxophone (which I also used to play). Ummm...it's tough to explain. Look it up on the internet. But, basically you take the tip of the duo-reed between your lips, with your lips curled back (woodwinding takes strong lips) and....blow... (It's basically like when you take a piece of thick grass between your thumbs and make "duck calls").

I'm so helpful

smokefree · Post by **smokefree** » 15 Dec 2006 09:24

That helps a lot thanks Erik. Yeah it is a wooden oboe, and thats why my mom was like "BE CAREFUL" and its pretty clean, recently cleaned and it came with those wire cleaners in a pocket in the hardshell case it came in.It also came with a broken reed, a working reed, and a foul looking cap thing filled with a blue orange mixture of gross looking wax or something.

mc · Post by mc » 15 Dec 2006 10:04

anthony,

first off, how's the bag?

second, props on being gentle and not wanting to force it. sounds like you've got a really special family heirloom on your hands.

I'd love to play an oboe, you're lucky. You should take it to a local specialist if there is one in your area and get him / her to give you the lowdown on taking good care of it.

Practice hard, maybe we can jam some klezmer music at a tournament some day.

smokefree · Post by **smokefree** » 15 Dec 2006 17:25

The bag? My footbag? Its nice and clean.

Anyway yeah im gonna take it into the music store and see if the lady there knows anything about it. The reason I was happy when my grandma gave me the Oboe was I love music, im also learning guitar. I enjoy classical so thats what also interested me.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 15 Dec 2006 19:21

It sounds like that little canister may be the cork grease I was talking about...I wouldn't quote me on that though, since I can't see the stuff. I think cork grease is usually just white...

Oroza · Post by **Oroza** » 17 Dec 2006 01:48

my uncle plays oboe, makes his own reeds too. double reeds are more fragile than single reeds, chances are none of those reads work, depending on how long its been stored, they dry and crack, even if it works, probly sound terrible. I forget the sequence, but i think you need to soak the reed before you play it...idk hydration is key. best take a couple classes if anything.

smokefree · Post by **smokefree** » 17 Dec 2006 09:42

Yeah I really would like to, but there are many downsides to living in a rural area with no car. I'll have to figure something out. Im gonna start with the local music shops within 45 minutes of my city.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 17 Dec 2006 17:46

Yeah, you gotta soak reeds first. With clarinet I know you can just suck on it, but for oboe soaking in a cup may be necessary, since you can't suck on the insides of the duo-reed.

And, yeah, the reeds will warp over time...
I always kept playing with warped reeds anyway though :p
(Though I have, like, 5 boxes of Vandoren (the best quality? -- actually a half-level of dificulty better than regular) reeds.

This thread is making me want to play again too!

smokefree · Post by **smokefree** » 19 Dec 2006 00:04

heh im assuming it isn't the type of instrument you can learn out of a book.