hiya,
i am new and my dad has just bought me an oboe, its a selmer london.
is this a good oboe because my friend also has an oboe but hers has lots more keys on it and i dont know why.
thanx
kt

Oboes have more keys to give more fingering options for easier playing. Beginning oboes give the basics, but sometimes a little less than basics to cut price.

Lacking the lowest Bb isn't terribly major, but I fear you may be lacking the left hand F key which can be an issue later on. You will have no choice, but to use the forked F fingering which you may have to unlearn if you continue studying oboe in the future.

The left hand F is a key you hit with your left hand pinky rather than using your right hand 3rd finger. It allows you to switch from notes like D, Db & Eb to F more easily and with a better timbre of sound than forked F.

Actually, to me, Selmer isn't really a good oboe brand because they also make other instruments too like saxophones and clarinets. They're also kind of cheap. I've heard of a lot of people that absolutely hate Selmer's, although i haven't played one myself.

Actually, to me, Selmer isn't really a good oboe brand because they also make other instruments too like saxophones and clarinets. They're also kind of cheap. I've heard of a lot of people that absolutely hate Selmer's, although I haven't played one myself.

oops, didn't mean to double-post. sorry!

You can learn the basics on this instrument as long as it is in good adjustment, but if you are in the least serious about playing the oboe well you must have a private teacher (an actual oboist, not your band director). The teacher can make recommendations about stepping up to a better instrument when the time is right. My students do not stay on the Selmer or other student instruments very long if they are talented and want to work hard. They reach the end of the capabilities of those intruments very quickly.

thanx to the people that have replied
you have been very helpful
kt xxx

Buffet makes saxophones, clarinets and oboes..
and their oboes are not bad at all.
Just because the brand makes other instruments does not mean that their oboes are bad.

Jasper.x