Are you ready to take on the challenge of playing one of the most unique, important, and beautiful instruments?
Look no further than the beginner Oboe!
With its outstanding sound and rich history, the oboe is a fantastic choice for musicians looking to expand their skills and repertoire.
Whether you’re interested in playing in a community band or orchestra, giving private lessons to high school students, or just playing for fun, the oboe is a great instrument to learn. It takes time and patience to master, but the rewards are totally worth it.
In this article, I’ll dive into all things oboe, including why I think it’s such an excellent choice for musicians. I’ll help you choose the right one for you (including cost considerations!) and show you my top 3 recommendations for oboes.
Plus, I’ll answer some common questions beginners have when starting out.
So, let’s get ready to make some beautiful music with the new oboe!
Why Should You Play the Oboe?
Playing music with the oboe is challenging, but it’s worth it.
The skill required to produce a good sound and correctly play the notes is an achievement.
It takes time and dedication to control the oboe and overcome problems producing high and pianissimo notes.
How Much Does a Beginner Oboe Cost?
For beginners, a student oboe is a great option. These are usually less expensive and are designed to help you learn the basics.
Invest in the best oboe you can afford to get a better sound as you progress. Try different brands and models to find one that feels comfortable and fits your playing style.
And don’t be afraid to ask for help from other musicians or your oboe teacher to find the right instrument for you!
3 Oboes for Beginners
Yamaha YOB-241B
This is a more affordable ABS resin body oboe with a simplified Conservatoire system, making it simpler to play for beginners.
Students can concentrate more on creating their own musical nuances because of the accurate intonation. Even a total beginner will get a wonderful tone on the 241B because of its distinctively warm oboe tone, which is extremely similar to that of a professional instrument.
Best For Professional Students
FEATURES: The 241 features a special wood-like matte finish on its ABS resin bodies.
OTHER INFO: A fingerplate for the right index finger
Yamaha YOB-241B
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Cost-effective
- Produce a good clear sound
- None!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Howarth S10
It’s a well-known oboe, preferred by Education Authorities and Music Services, especially across the U.K.
Top teachers endorse it – and in fact, I began learning the Oboe on this very instrument!
The Howarth B Model oboe is acknowledged as the greatest English student system oboe in the industry, and many of today’s professional players started their musical training on one.
Due to its compact finger spacing for the smaller hand and lightweight design that makes it easy to handle, the instrument is especially well-suited for young students.
Best For Young Students
FEATURES: It is a wooden oboe
OTHER INFO: It weighs only 0.54 kg
Howarth S10
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- It produces a beautiful sound
- It is convenient to use
- Great price
- None!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Buffet Prodige Oboe BC4131
The ever-popular Buffet 4121 student model has now been replaced with the NEW Buffet Prodige Oboe. With a novel free, blowing design, the Prodige helps beginner players get started on the oboe easily and produce a good tone.
Best For Beginner Oboe Players
FEATURES: Simplified semi-automatic
OTHER INFO: English thumb plate system
Buffet Prodige Oboe BC4131
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- It has a comfortable layout of key work
- Complete accessories
- Little bit expensive
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
What Is The Best Beginner Oboe?
Summary
The oboe is a beautiful instrument from the woodwind family, with a unique sound that sets it apart from other woodwind instruments.
There are so many options available, from starter instruments through to professional oboes. If you can stretch to a professional oboe, you’ll have an instrument for life. But either way, look for one that’s easy to play, has good tuning, and comes from a reputable manufacturer.
Our guide to 3 oboes for beginners can help you make an informed choice. With a quality beginner oboe, you’ll be able to develop your skills as an oboist and enjoy the many benefits of playing this rewarding instrument.
Want to learn more? Check out our article and leave your comments below on why you should play the oboe.
FAQ's
Learning to play the oboe can be a challenging experience, but it’s an excellent choice for beginner musicians. They’re designed to encourage and support players from complete beginners up to grade 4 or 5. They’re made to emphasise ease of response and control, which is essential for beginners to enjoy the instrument.
Beginner oboe reeds should also be easy to hold and play with, and minimal resistance allows the player to produce a nice sound with little effort. It should be handmade and tested for optimal playability to help ensure success when playing. Successful players develop good habits, such as proper embouchure and regular practice. Overall, the oboe is an excellent instrument for beginners who are willing to put in the time and effort to master it.
Investing in these oboes like Yamaha YOB-241B, Buffet 4121 or BC4131, and Howarth S10. These models encourage players of all levels to achieve their best performance. Avoid purchasing a “beginner’s oboe” due to poor quality and lack of resale value; consider intermediate oboes or options.
If you’re an aspiring oboist, you might be curious to know how much a beginner oboe would cost. For a good-quality, brand-new instrument, a beginner oboe can be around $1,700, which might vary for different models. Some popular beginner oboes in the market are Yamaha YOB-241B, Buffet 4121, and Howarth S10.
As a beginner, you might also want to purchase reeds that are easy to play with minimal resistance. EG-REEDS offers beginner oboe reeds that fit this criterion. The price may jump to $3,000 or more for an intermediate-level of oboe, while professional quality can cost $6,000 or more. However, it’s recommended to start with a beginner oboe and upgrade gradually as you improve your skills.