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blueeyedbassoon
(185 points)
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Both are wonderful instruments. They each have unique personalities. I'm no expert but I do have experience with both. A tighter embouchure is necessary on oboe because of the smaller reed. Oboe reeds are more delicate and chip easier. Hand size could make a difference too. Bassoon is more comfortable for me because I have good sized hands. On oboe my hands felt kinda squished. One reason why I chose bassoon over oboe because it seems to reflect my personality better and I love the sound. I think that the more information you have, the better decision you'll make.
Happy double reeding!
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Drew
(228 points)
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This has been mentioned before in these threads, but it is worth mentioning again.
If you think at some point you will not want to tote around a horn weighing 15 pounds, plus music, reed bag with all your gear (straps, water, etc.), then you'd better go for the oboe. You can throw the oboe in your backpack and go. While I'm a dedicated bassoonist, I do sometimes wish for a piccolo to tote around instead!
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blueeyedbassoon
(185 points)
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Same here. Somtimes I wish I still played clarinet in band at school then I a wouldn't have to carry something so heavy. But I try not to complain because I like bassoon a lot more than clarinet.
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contra448
(142 points)
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A difficult decision.
Is it possible to try each one for a few months & then decide which one you prefer?
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JOhnlovemusic
(313 points)
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You could try each one for a couple of months.
YOu might also try getting some recordings of each. Perhaps recordings of solos on bassoon and oboe. Then listen to the music and decide which sound you like better, which lines you find yourself more attracted to.
You are more likely to practice more on the one you like the sound of better.
John
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Mark_UK
(19 points)
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First, find a double reed teacher who can talk sensibly to you about, and maybe let you try, both. Check that there isn't a physical reason (eg size of hands, shape of teeth) that would cause you problems. Talk about the repertoire - the kind of music that's available for each.
Second, listen to music by people who can really write for woodwind (some of my favourites are Mozart, Beethoven, Richard Strauss, Mahler, Elgar, Sibelius, Poulenc - to name only a very few). See if one or the other draws you.
Learning the oboe would give you the option of moving on to the cor anglais or the (utterly beautiful) oboe d'amore (expensive, I know, but no more so than bassoons). But oboe reeds are notoriously temperamental compared to bassoon reeds (believe me - I've been there!) and you need to be prepared for that.
It's a decision for the heart as much as the head. If you have an enthusiasm, a passion, for an instrument, then very likely it'll feel right and be worth the effort. Which voice do you want to sing with?
And remember, whichever you choose, you'll learn a lot of technique that is common to both; so you can always change over later on. There isn't really a 'wrong' choice.
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contra448
(142 points)
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.. and learning bassoon gives you the option of descending to the contra bassoon!! Lots of good parts written for that as well.
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leighthesim
(199 points)
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basson is given more bass parts and oboe (being in the key of c) is given melody/harmony parts (it can play most the music that a flute or clarinet can play i think)
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contra448
(142 points)
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The bassoon is in C as well.
Maybe at the beginner level bassoon parts are restricted mainly to the bass line but listen to a lot of of orchestral music & you will hear some superb solos for bassoon.
I have played in wind bands & there a lot of the bassoon parts are boring just blasting away with tubas etc on the bass line but there are some modern pieces & arrangements with good bassoon parts. Playing bass lines can be very satisfying as well especially when the orchestration is reduced to woodwind alone.
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