MI: LIBRARY: INSTRUMENTS: WOODWINDS: OBOE

History
The oboe was developed from the treble shawm during the 17th century when a shawm-like instrument was desired that could play indoors. The earliest oboes are believed to be creations of the Hotteterre family and used at the court of Louis XIV. They were created in three sections, like the modern oboe, and they had accurately placed and dimensioned holes.

During the 1700’s the oboe could be found in several sizes including the alto version which is regularly used today. The next important development came in the 1800’s and was the use of key mechanisms. There was no single outline for the key sytems. Generally, the Germans created simpler systems, and the French more complicated ones. Still today, the key systems do vary from oboes of one manufacturer to another. 

Description
The oboe is a woodwind which can be made of plastic or wood. It is the smallest orchestral double-reed instrument and very important in the orchestra. Because the oboe’s pitch varies little with temperature, the oboe will play the A-note to which all othe instruments in the orchestra will tune to. The oboe also is an important soloist.

The very expressive and almost “exotic” sound of the oboe can play a very emotional part. It’s penetrating sound can also give it very important solos in works for other instruments as well. Often, the oboe player will have a beautiful solo from within an orchestra or during a concerto for another instrument.

Gorgeous as it is, the oboe is a very difficult instrument to learn. While the entire channel of the oboe is very narrow, the reed is downright tiny. Through this tiny reed, the musician must force air at a very high pressure. In doing this, stale air will often accumulate in the lungs and if the musician isn’t careful to expel this air before breathing in, they will feel faint.

Oboe Variations
Shawm: This ancestor of the oboe was very popular in the 1400’s and 1500’s, but it was later replaced by the oboe because it could only be played outdoors. The wooden shawm creates a very loud and shrill noise.

English horn: The English horn uses the same keywork as the oboe but it plays at a lower pitch. This wooden instrument is incorrectly named because it is neither English, nor a horn!

Zurna: The zurna, like most members of the oboe family, is a loud instrument, best suited for outdoors. It is considered Turkish and usually made of peach wood.

Suona: Just like many Chinese instruments, the suona creates a very unusual sound and can sound almost like a synthesizer. It is a beautiful  looking instrument of wood and brass.

Sahnai: No different from alot of India’s instruments, the sahnai is a hauntingly beautiful instrument. Using a special technique, the musician can use it to simulate the human voice. It is often decorated and made of wood with a metal bell.

Algaita: This unique looking instrument comes from Africa. It usually is only played in the presence of local rulers. The musician may chose to use circular breathing and it is made of wood, leather, and brass.

Crumhorn: The crumhorn has a sound almost like that of the kazoo. Each crumhorn can play a limited range so a professional will have a colletion of crumhorns to cover a wide area. The double-reed is inside the mouthpiece and the instrument is made of wood.

Hichiriki: This tiny instrument is incredibly difficult to play. The small Japanese instrument produces a loud noice and is made of bamboo.

Comments

The oboe is a very difficult instrument... i know, I'm learning it.

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wow! good job guys! i enjoyed your article on the oboe. it helped me do research. i am an oboe player myself and this site was very interesting! thanks!

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I have been playing the oboe since I was in third grade, and it is one of the most beautiful (when played right!) instruments in the orchestra. It is difficult to play, but when you master it it seems very worthwhile!

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you fucking suck

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hello i need help ihave a project on the oboe due in 2 days i need history can u help me???

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I have played the clarinet for seven years, and as a tenth grader who wants to major in music, i am afraid to begin to learn the oboe now. do you think it is wise, or should i simply concentrate on my main instrument? i am too fascinated by Oboe to ignore it. please give me some advice

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i am a person who is very much affectionate about the lyrics or voice of sahnai. really i am crazy about the voice of sahnai. so, plz. if it is possible then send to my e-mail id the music of sahnai. plz. and if it is possible then give the music which consist of only the voice of sahnai

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i love the oboe its cool you should play it

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yea the oboe is a very hard insterment to play i play the oboe but i enjoy playing it very much i an in the 7th grade band i'm trying to teach my friend how to play because she just swiched from the flute to the oboe i'm trying to teach her the oboe but i still need a little more help. and the site is great i learned sone great new info on the insterment

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yea the oboe is a very hard insterment to play i play the oboe but i enjoy playing it very much i an in the 7th grade band i'm trying to teach my friend how to play because she just swiched from the flute to the oboe i'm trying to teach her the oboe but i still need a little more help. and the site is great i learned sone great new info on the insterment

Comments

yea the oboe is a very hard insterment to play i play the oboe but i enjoy playing it very much i an in the 7th grade band i'm trying to teach my friend how to play because she just swiched from the flute to the oboe i'm trying to teach her the oboe but i still need a little more help.

Comments

Hi. I'm swithing from saxophone to oboe. I wanted to know if anyone could send me some tips. Thanks

Comments

Hi. I'm swithing from saxophone to oboe. I wanted to know if anyone could send me some tips. Thanks