Hello,

I'm just starting out with oboe. I've played music for half a century and have decided to give oboe a try. The closest instrument to oboe I have played is bassoon. (So the double reed thing is not totally foreign.)

Which method should I start with to learn basic fingering and technique? I'm probably going to play more jazz than classical, so scales and interval studies are important.

Any good computer apps for learning oboe?

Also, is there any correlation between oboe and sax or clarinet fingerings?

Yes, I'm probably crazy. :-)

Thanks

There is not correlation between clarinet and sax fingerings that I am aware of. As far as reeds, methods, and tips if you can get a teacher

If you can't, I'd start with the Gekeler Oboe Method Book 1. That's like the best beginner method out there if you already read music.

Hope this helps!

1. Get a teacher.
2. Oboe fingers are similar but not exact to saxophone fingers. They don't sound the same but the letter names match up (ie same fingering for a g on a sax is a g on oboe). The fingering is a little more similar to flute but they are all related.
3. If you want to get good fast practice scales + intervals. The Vade Mecum of the Oboist has some really nice scale and interval exercises but is more for an advancing student to play. The Barrett method book is quite good.

so i think its great ur giving oboe a try. one thing i can tell u is to start tonguing, dont forget because u'll get in a bad habit of not tonguing and trust me, u dont want to be there. if u are buying any oboe books i'd get accent on achivement, good techniques.

Thanks for the feedback.

I ended up with the Hal Leonard Essential Elements 2000 book 1 (cuz I was in a hurry and bought it before anyone posted, plus it is the method used at the local schools.)

I like the intro DVD and play along CDs.

I've got the F Major scale (one octave) fingerings down. I must say that oboe fingerings are "interesting". A lot of finger movement between adjacent notes. I doubt I'll be playing 16th note scales any time soon!

Once I get through book 1 I'll look at the suggested methods/books.

Happy Holidays.