The oboe was known in ancient Greece and Egypt at one time or another. The oboe was known to the Egyptians six thousand years ago. Its name was hautbois. The oboe is known for its high, sad tones, but it can be very rigorous in the low register. The oboe today is a little over two feet long ending with a gently flaring bell shape. The conductor in the orchestra depends on the oboe to give the note "A" as their guide for pitches. The "A" pitch of the oboe rarely varies so that is why the orchestra uses it as a guide pitch.

    The oboe is the favorite woodwind of many composers. When the oboe plays alone it seems to say to you, "listen – to – me," and you wish it would play on and on, but the oboe can’t play on and on. It has a problem of it’s own. The player can not let the air out completely and he/she gets red-faced holding all the air back. That is why oboe players get to rest longer and more often then other woodwind instruments.