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Instruments ORCHESTRA
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What is it?
The oboe is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family. It has a conical bore and a flaring bell, which gives it a clear, penetrating voice compared to other woodwind instruments. A person who plays the oboe is an oboist.
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How do you play? It's best to start out with a teacher instead of on your own so that you won't miss anything or learn anything wrong. Learn how to properly put the oboe together. Attach the top and bottom joints of the oboe together, then slide the bell on the bottom of the main part. Soak the reed in water for a bit, then slide the base of the reed into the top of the oboe. Don't soak the reed in your mouth to wet it; saliva damages reeds over time. Curl your lower lip over your lower teeth enough to where your teeth won't dig into the reed (but not too much!) and place the tip of the reed on your bottom lip. Close your lips around the reeds and seal the corners of your mouth. The oboe is a difficult instrument to play, so if you have trouble producing a good sound on your first try, don't be discouraged. As you become more accustomed to the embouchure and airflow needed to play the oboe, your sound will improve. |
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How to care for it? Remove the reed after playing and let it dry in the reed case. Silk is best for cleaning from inside your oboe after each use. Drop the weight on the swab down the bell and out the top. Gently pull it through the oboe. Do it more than once depending on how much moisture there is. Polish the outside of the oboe and keys with a cleaning cloth. Grease the corks. Rub cork grease into them, but don't use too much or too often or the corks will rot. Always store the oboe in its case. Try to avoid exposing the oboe and reeds to frequent environment changes. Reeds change their performance based on temperature and humidity, and frequent or extreme changes can render some reeds unplayable. |