alot of people call me names like dying duck but i know i sound better than that it alot of them are in orch. (my school has band orch. choir in seperete classes) what should i do to get them off my back ps. your cool if you play the oboe pss. sorry for the spelling

Don't do anything to get them off your back. I've been playing in orchestras for more than 30 years and I still hear people ADULTS!!! tease the double reed players. Your best defense is to not react. They are loooking for a reaction from you that indicates they have bothered you or ruffled your feathers and when you react they get the feeling they have won, or they are better.

You can ignore it completely or place it back into their hands in a matter of fact way. An example would be if some says, "Hey look it's the dying duck player!" Your response could be a very polite, "Yes, it's me the oboe player. I'm glad you notice me." Then they something like, "What's it feel like to sound like a dying duck?" Your repsonse could be, "Well, it's a lot better than sounding like a dead duck. If you know what I mean." If you take the time to stay calm and respond in a pleasant manner they will eventually stop because they are not getting the result they want and they will eventually find someone else to tease.

Surprisingly, if you stay happy about it and understand that they are just misdirected and frustrated and insecure about something in their own life (don't say this to them though) you may find your compassion for their illness will attract others towards you that will find you fascinating and a joy to hang with.

IF there are other specific things they say post them here and I think we can all come up with some positive replys that will stop them in their tracks.

thanks:0

I know exactly what you mean....I hate it. I pretend to laugh it off and think it's funny, but really, it's not. Just ignore those people and remember that the oboe is an AWESOME instrument!! Woo-hoo!!

I remember people calling me a dying duck (I play bassoon now.) Now that I play bassoon people call me the "farting bed post" and say "You play a giant bong!". I get teased a lot but I just laugh it off. It helps that theres another bassoonist who I play with. We both have to deal with it.

That's what happens when you play double reeds. We're special, and everyone else thinks of it as a chance to tease us.

I've heard things like, "dying duck" and "the lone instrument" (only oboe in the band; duh). My friend that plays flute "playfully" teases me with loads of names for me and my oboe.

My director has a sense of humor, and likes to call it the Oboeaphone, so it sounds like I fit in like the rest of the instruments, and it's a bit funny. That's okay, isn't it? Everyone has a good laugh.

You can also play pretty loud, so you can have a funny little joke between the flutes and low brass, and possibly clarinets. I'm louder than a team of 6 clarniets that have been playing longer (about 3 years) than me.

But, really, they're just a bunch of pains, and you just have to expect it. Just ingnore them.

Good luck and have fun oboing.

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P.S.- In the end, they'll realize the oboe is the King. Who's laughing now?

people used to call me a retarted duck a LOT, but as you get better, they don't say it to you anymore because they gradually get used to the sound and accept you. If your having a hard time, just stay calm, shrug it off, and wait. Your going to get better. (If your dedicated to your instrument, of course.)

practice makes perfect, when you first start any instrument it doesnt sound like a professional player, i remember when i first started the oboe, i didnt like it and wanted to quit it because it sounded horrible! but now i am at grade 7 standard and taking the exam soon :D one of my friends is absolutely amazing at the oboe because he practices none stop and is now in the National Youth Orchestra in Britain :D

good luck (:

actually, oboe doesn't sound that much like a dying duck after you've practiced for a long time. And forget about them, I mean seriously, what instrument DOESN"T sound funny? Infact, violins, which are considered beautiful instruments, sound like a bunch of well-tuned squeeks to me. So just forget it, who cares what they say, right? oboe's great, you can sound wonderful on it, it's just a matter of time and practice.
P.S. I probably sound a hell more like a dying duck than you! Trust me.

Speaking as a violinist, I am glad there are oboists because how else would one play the greatest violin concerto (IMHO) i.e. the Brahms.

Hello Everyone,

I'm glad to come across this thread. I'm surprise to know about this name-calling thing. My daughter just started on oboe for 2 months and well, she doesn't sound good. I wonder what a dying duck sounds like

I see her huffing and puffing, face turning red and sweat trickling down the side of her face and complains of dizziness. I tell myself, this is a calling from God. She has been told that oboe is tough, sounds like a duck quaking, not popular, and yet she insists on doing it.

I think people who choose to be different in their choices often get's criticized for not joining the majority. It's tough not to go with the flow, one sticks out for being different. But it's this that makes one strong. It's always easier and safer to follow the majority but many a great man had taken the road less travelled because they have the courage and determination.

Thanks to johnloveoboe for all the suggestions for how to handle hurtful remarks. That's useful.

A lot of people who insult the oboe are really, I believe, jealous. Oboe is a difficult instrument to learn, but it sounds amazing. It is one of the most lyrical instruments of an orchestra. The first time I picked up my oboe, people said the same things. It was a good thing I had awesome band directors who kept encouraging me. Now, I've actually met a few non-oboist people who said that the oboe was their favorite instrument. Also remember that maybe some of the people in your band might be really immature. Maturity will come with age. Give them time.

Im going to be honest, the oboe is a lot of work. My oboe teacher has had a couple of strokes recently and my piano teacher, who knows my oboe teacher, puts so much effort into the oboe and she goes red when playing. My oboe teacher is extremely good and has been playing for longer than i have been born for! That just shows how tough playing the oboe is.

I have been playing for 5 years and i am glad i have learnt the oboe, I enjoy it and have been entered for grade 7 in march! Its a shame that my replacement oboe teacher has only allowed 15 minutes for my lessons. How am i meant to pass my exam with only a 15 minute lesson a week?! Although, a friend of mine, said the other day that he could possibly give me lessons. Its going to be weird having a lesson from someone who is only 2 years older than me!