r/oboe

Hi idk how to use reddit but here we go I suppose.
So, I(F15) have been playing oboe for about 7 months now, prior I had been playing flute for 2 and a half years. And though I love the idea of always being first chair, or always being the one with solos I have been very negative towards my playing. Since I’ve started I was put in the varsity band at my school because the oboe prior to me graduated, so I had major shoes to fill, and though being on varsity made me feel great about myself I didn’t know what I was doing and ended up teaching myself for multiple weeks until I got private lessons. I was forced to try out at region for my area, and shockingly got last place. But by a few months I was given 3 solos, 2 of which were turned into duets because “I wasn’t loud enough. Just recently we had our spring concert and at that I believe I played extremely well, I even had a reed that didn’t need adjusting (even though I don’t have a reed knife sadly) but at that concert the flute next to me broke my reed in half. Tears were definitely shed. And since then I have not found a reed that remotely plays at all. This situation has made me extremely unmotivated to play and I have quit practicing at home for the time being. I know daily practice is definitely what’s needed but I just don’t know anymore. My parents have created this picture that I don’t want to play anymore because I don’t practice at home, but I don’t have a reed to play on at all. They complain about reeds costing so much and needing to be replaced a ton, and I don’t know what to say, I try to fix the reeds they get me but they all are horrible quality because they buy off of amazon. They say that it’s probably my fault and I just don’t understand?? Is there any advice I could get?

Hi, I've been playing the oboe and making my own reeds for a long time, but I have really struggled to get the double c crow. Usually my reeds just peep one 'C', but I can feel the reed vibrating on my lips even down past the heart when I'm playing. They play the whole range and usually very comfortably. Often while I am making them I will get some sort of crow but when it's crowing the reed feels far to flat and I have to really work to bring it up to pitch. I clip which solves the 'too flat' feeling, but then the crow is lost. The reeds feel okay to me but I will say I wish they had more of a ringing tone. For a long time I just told myself that I am just a different player with different reed preferences. Do you have thoughts on this? I've honestly done a ton of personal research, reading articles/dissertations on reeds and reed making, reading books about it, watching tons of videos on it by different makers and of course talking to whomever I can about it to get advice. I'm at the end of my rope on this, so any insights are appreciated.

I play the saxophone and clarinet professionally and am trying to learn the oboe. I'm currently playing on a Yamaha OB-241 and just bought a Jones Artist medium-soft reed. I will start using handmade reeds once I get more experience with the instrument. The reed is quite responsive, however when I crow it (with my mouth on the thread part), I get an A instead of a C, and on the oboe, every note starting with middle E♭ and higher comes out a semitone flat unless I really push it and play extremely loudly.

I have pretty bad cramps but I felt better after taking some painkillers, so I decided to practice oboe.

I only played for 5 minutes and my cramps were almost unbearable and I had to stop. It makes me so frustrated to not be able to play for a week each month. I really want to practise, especially since I have my lesson tomorrow but I haven't been able too.

Does anyone else have any tips? This sucks.

Hi!
I have the recurring problem that there is a little water in the little octave key that opens when you play the upper a. At least I think that that is the problem.

The a is coming out super scratchy and it is really distracting me. Also I have a few performances and a test coming up.

I have tried swabbing and blowing out the water, which kind of helps (not always/completely though), also letting the oboe air out with a piece of cigarette paper between the hole and the key to keep it a bit open and drawing out the moisture.

I have heard that this might be typical for a Marigaux, but if that is the case what are all the other players doing to help it from occurring or stopping it when it occurs?

Edit: Just saw the post on the Ab6 question. This tone mostly comes out fine. I have no oboe repair workshop near me so if it needs cleaning out it seems I must accept it for the time being…