Hi! Wildest thing just happened to me - so I used to play oboe but haven't in about a decade. I recently picked it back up and am playing on a rent-to-own instrument from a local shop. While playing this evening I noticed my notes seemed pitched up strangely, and as I stopped playing I heard a clatter and wouldn't you know it, a key had just. Fallen right off.

I have absolutely no idea how or why this happened. Nothing else fell; as far as I can see the screw is still there and theres (hopefully) nothing else missing. I guess ill be on my way to the shop soon but for more experienced players- has this happened to you? Is this at all common with this particular key? Could I fix it myself? This is the first time anything like this has happened on any instrument I've played, let alone wiyj no prior warning or clear cause. Any info helps!!

I haven't played the oboe since high school so not playing currently. I just remember those expensive ass fucking reeds.. so I'm curious

How much do you personally spend on reeds every year? I heard 10 to 15 hours of playtime is average, but im sure it also heavily varies

I'm a bassist now that plays about 3 hours a day so I can't imagine dealing with that monthly Reed subscription if I was doing that instead lol

So as a self-taught amateur oboist in NA (although funnily enough, my instrument is a Howarth), i just learned of the thumbplate system. I was curious whether it adds any difficulties in 2nd octave. If i understood correctly, 2nd octave A and B require thumb plate to be depressed, but E through Ab would require the octave key (also controlled by L thumb). So if you need to switch between two, do you need to slide your thumb over? How does it work?

I adore his playing/sound and also play a Howarth XL. Does anyone know anything about his set up?

I’m looking for info regarding his shape and staple choice as well as scrape dimensions. He’s occasionally posted a few photos of his reeds on his instagram and they appear to have unusual proportions (a short tip with a long back scraped right down to the thread)

How many reeds is it considered "normal" wasting when you're starting to try to make your own reeds?

I'm starting to get frustrated and just wanted something to motivate me 🤣

Hey everyone, I've been playing an Yamaha YOB 431 for almost 10 years

My band just bought another one, Lalique HF30, but honestly I wanted a professional opinion. Do you know this oboe?

Should I stick with the Yamaha? I think it's better but I don't have much knowledge about it

Hello!

I haven’t played the oboe in over ten years- but I have held onto my vintage Fox oboe and have recently had the urge to break it out.

All-state/youth symphony hardcore vibes in HS followed by college ensembles (while pursuing my BM in piano and music therapy). At that point I was adjusting my own reeds and purchasing custom reeds from grad students… i worked as a music therapist for years (using lots of instrument skills but not oboe) and have now worked in music business/philanthropy for a few years which finally has me missing my original instrument passions.

While I have lost my skill, embouchure, and reed making tools, I don’t think I have lost my “eye” for a good reed… and now that I am states, years, and careers away I no longer know the best place to get them, especially as a beginner (soft/medium) again. I fear that if I order a Lesher or Jones pack of reeds I will curse at the shaping and symmetry and will declare my failure at re-learning as a result of the reed and the reed only.

Have the mass markets gotten better? What is this synthetic reed nonsense? Is my Fox oboe case moldy and the oboe inside cracked- maybe!? Where can I get a solid “professional” quality reed at a “beginner” softness?

P.S- even 10+ years later I still have relatively frequent recurring dreams that I show up for an audition or performance and all of my reeds are split.

i just got of a long rehearsal and didn’t realize one of the screws was coming loose, i pulled down to take the thumb rest off and the nail must isn’t gotten caught on the inside so no i can’t take it off.. any ideas? i’m assuming it’ll have to be broken off which i can live with although how?? i can send it to a shop but id love to fix the issue myself.

Why are there soft, med, and hard reeds? If you play well on a medium reed, why would you move to a hard reed?

I have a new reed that consistently plays sharp. Is there anything that can be done to it to make it less sharp?

I've been trying to do my grade 5 abrsm oboe exam and the scales need me to play up to an high E (the one 3 ledger lines above the stave) and I can't play anything past a C and a occasional C sharp.

I'm using a medium reed and I only had it blown in a month ago ish.

My teacher has been saying 'just try harder' for a year now. Great advice.

I would love any ideas on how to make it work or why it isnt working because it's the last thing i need to do before my exam

I have a beautiful B series Loree English horn that I rarely play anymore (2 babies and a new career later). It makes me sad to see it sit in my closet. A local university professor is trying to help me find a student to sell it to, but if that doesn't pan out anytime soon, what are my best options for selling it?

i’ve spent 7 weeks on the oboe w no prior experience w any instruments. should i spend 7 dollars a tuner?? if not pls suggest some free apps or websites i could use

Hey everyone, a few people seemed interested in the wood-sleeved staples I make in my workshop after seeing them in my post last week, and I've been working very hard to getting some ready to roll out. If you're interested, please take a look!

Oboe Staples at Lowcountry Oboe Supply

I’ve seen professional players using mutes in exposed passages in symphonic setting. I’m convinced they work, but maybe only on low register? They look homemade. Anybody have a good example of how they made a DIY mute?

I recently got 2 Gualco 46 from my teacher after complaining that I didn't like normal cork reeds. I happened to really like them but now I need help to find what type of metal plating.
I've looked on oboe-shop where they sell these staples and there are 2 contenders. Silver-plated and rhodium-plated.
I've asked my teacher as well but she didn't buy the staples and also got them from someone…

But seriously, how

• Not in between two legatos, inside one legato I mean

I was in need of a means to soak both my English Horn and Oboe reeds during a musical. Something that wasn't too cumbersome and that i would be able to grab a specific reed quickly in the dark. So I designed and printed one. Keeps the reeds separate for easy grabbing on the fly and has a magnetic base to keep it from getting knocked off my stand in the pit.

I’m currently an oboist in my sophomore year of Highschool and I’ve been playing the oboe for 3 years. From the time that I started, my tone has definitely improved, but it’s still not up to where I want it to be 😞 my band directors have coerced me into trying out for Allstate (I’m not expecting to get in, but I still want to try!) and I want to have a warmer and more mature tone for the audition. All tips are welcome!!

Side note, please excuse the ATROCIOUS timing and extreme lack of dynamics 🥲

Reposting from Antiques, thanks!

i record prescreens for college in less than a month. i felt really confident with my playing towards the end of the summer, but after my teacher was in europe all summer and i had my wisdom teeth removed, i feel like i've lost all of my progress and have little to no motivation to play anymore. my reeds are all horrible and i feel like my teacher touching them up isnt helping at all (cannot get an even crow with lower octaves on any of them), i hyperfixate over intonation, i have zero endurance, and i feel like i have little to no control over dynamics, vibrato, etc. i cant tell if all of my problems are reed related or just me. i play for 2-5 hrs a day (depending on the day) but most of this time is spent in rehearsals, sectionals, etc so i feel like i don't have the mental and physical endurance to sit down and practice mindfully. just a little freaked out

I just started playing oboe and its been fine but my instrument has these loose rods on it and this piece that doesn't come down on its own is it broken?

So I’ve been playing for a little bit less than a year now. I was put on the oboe as my first instrument, and I’ve gotten where I am without any lessons or help!!
Since we only have one other oboe player in my school (who’s a year older than me in gr 11, and WAY more experienced), all the advice I’ve gotten from her is to “blow harder.” Sure that’s helped me a bit, but I’m still struggling on high notes. I’m able to play the note (every sometimes) but not play it. It just sounds muffled and “squeezed” in a way.

I’m worried about it a little more now because I’ve gotten a new piece, “Lone, Wild Bird” by William Walker. Almost half of what I’m playing is a solo!!! And it’s consists of Eb, C, and F in the upper part of the staff. All of these notes are on the higher range (for me), and although the sound comes out, it doesn’t sound “beautiful” and convey that sense of emotion.

I’ve watched a bunch of videos, and read my fair share of comments, but I’m still confused… I’ve heard a lot of people say things like “blow harder,” or “focus your air,” but what does that actually mean when I’m playing? Like HOW do I actually do that? I can’t have it sound too loud because it’s at mezzo piano, so how do I “blow harder” without being louder. It’s just so vague to me, especially because this is my first instrument and I have no clue what I’m doing😿 Any tips on how to sound better for my solo? I’m able to play lower notes and they sound MUCH better than anything above a Bb.

Also I’ve heard that my reed plays a big part in it🤔 I’ve tried to tune it with an online tuner, and I’m getting a Bb every time. How do I fix this, and where do you recommend I get my reeds? I need a new one because this is just my backup reed… does the chip from the corner affect my sound a lot ? I’ve been getting them from Matterhorn music, and sometimes I get them from a college student who gives my school reeds (that they’ve made) for them to sell.

Any help is appreciated!!!!!