Understanding the Oboe

[@kerrywoboe]

Please remember that this is an OLDER video and all oboe prices are much higher than when this was made in the mid 1990's. Also, the US Army did NOT train us to be musicians! We are oboists that went to the best music schools here in the US, just like many in major symphony orchestras. Jobs in the US Army for musicians are very competitive and only the best are selected.

[@donalddodson7365]

I give a s*@#! As I did when I served to preserve your freedom of speech. Live well.

[@GlobalFootballHD]

Donald Dodson still dont care

[@willsavage4429]

Ooooh, real edgy.

[@nomorebushz]

I was 2nd oboist and English Horn player in the USAF Academy Band, Alto Sac when we marched. Self taught. In 1975 we flew to the US capital in Washington DC and played two days in a row on the US Capitol steps where the Deplorable Pride insurrection took place on January 6, 2021.

[@nomorebushz]

@@donalddodson7365 Stop being a dick. Try that for a while.

[@matalina3]

I just played the final song (trio) in this video at solo ensemble, but with a flute and a clarinet. We're going to state!

[@MaeilYogurt]

I really did love this video when I had picked up the oboe in the sixth grade. I would love to see an updated version of this to see if there are any new tricks, exercises, and tips. There are very few videos on the oboe, and this has been the best one that I have seen yet.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Thank you for your suggestion and comments. We regularly update our video series and your suggestions will be passed along to the production staff. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@foveauxbear]

I love the fact that the presenter demonstrates the "baroque oboe" so beautifully. I understand it's a difficult instrument to play in tune.

[@donalddodson7365]

BRAVO! I had not seen this 2012 gem until today. You have created an amazing resource for young musicians who may be considering the jump from the flute or clarinet section (as I did in 1962). Terrific insights and professionally explained and performed. Don Dodson (former SGT / E-5) U.S. Army, 1968-1971 (Oboe, Cor Anglais, clarinet, bass drum, M-16, M-60, Jeep, Deuce-and-a-half, shovel and pick; but not necessarily in that order ... ;-)

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Thanks, and thanks for your service Mr. Dodson.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jonz2984]

This video is excellent in every respect. As a student oboist, I appreciated it very much. Thank you, and well done to everyone involved.

[@taiyokomori2147]

Have you guys ever thought of remaking the video? Because the oboe has change quite a bit since this video was made and it would be great to see a new and improved video of the oboe!

[@ArmyFieldBand]

+Tai Yokomori We have thought about it and it's definitely a possibility in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@RebeccaMooreHealthCoach]

Oboe, Oboe D'Amore, English Horn and even Bass Oboe (Holst) I have loved them all for all my 40 years of playing and teaching. The fact that we can make a reed to suit the piece, concert or ensemble we're playing is a secret weapon and not a burden: other woodwind players have to purchase expensive mouth pieces or head joints to do what we can create in just a few minutes!

[@iz4yt]

Thanks to all who participated in the making of this valuable presentation of the world of the oboe and associated double reed instruments. I hope it receives the great attention it deserves. The playing was superb. It demonstrated what can achieve through dedication. Bravo from this single reed and "air reed" instrument player.

[@bunnybear7331]

All my friends at school are like when they see my case. OH YOU'RE A CLARINET PLAYER? AWESOME!

[@ArmyFieldBand]

That definitely happens! We feel your pain

[@christianedavis1944]

Bunny Bear or the usual "WHAT IS THAT??"

[@cindyferrando7057]

ChrJenDav Davis k

[@BYNSKgaming]

That what my friends said

[@hi_im_random_person1068]

Bunny Bear That happens to me too. I get to triggered

[@arbazkhan6697]

Just being in the army makes you guys awesome, and then these amazing videos....

[@sokks5]

I get annoyed when someone calls it a clarinet

[@ArmyFieldBand]

+Absol Dash That is a common mistake. Do you play the oboe?

[@sokks5]

Yes, but I can understand why they do this. At first it was fine but I started happening way too often

[@spocksmusic]

+Absol Dash The common person sees any woodwind other than the flutes and saxes as some kind of clarinet. Is that because more people play it in grade school and it's the only family (other than the flutes) that they know?

[@sokks5]

+Michel Plourde ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@spocksmusic]

:)

[@RosssRoyce]

Lol it was the United States Army flûte playing instruction that actually gave me a very solid flute playing foundation and resolved problems! Thanks!

[@hi_im_random_person1068]

Wow I never new there was different kinds of oboes, Thankyou for telling me the history of the oboe.

[@maxmeszaros9527]

i was like "must... not click.... oboe video.... nooo.... "*clicks*

[@haileythomas6658]

Lol

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Although there are significant differences between single reeds and double reeds, you will likely find it easier to switch to oboe having already played another reed instrument. For this reason, band directors will often encourage you to stay within the same family of instruments (woodwind, brass, or percussion) when switching.

[@Dukoff血汗臺鐵]

Thank you for such a good video. I used to be an oboe player. And I also remember the beautiful sound from oboe after I've sold my oboe.

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

Thank You United States Army Field Band!

[@ArmyFieldBand]

You are so welcome!

[@blumenfeldmusik]

Amazing ! Congratulations to the US Army Field Band ! God bless America !

[@bubbercakes528]

We had a military band come to our high school when I was a student. I expected to be bored but they were amazing. Besides being very good musicians, they were comedic as well. I think almost everyone had a great time! There were several great singers as well!

[@dupre55]

I want to thank you so much and look forward to reviewing your other videos. I can't believe that I did not know there was a woodwind quartet and music for that. When I start score analysis in a few months, this will help me so much to narrow my focus on just one section. I thank you for your excellent instructive videos. Really amazing. Thanks, again!

[@ShamelGataje]

beauty has its price .... as much pure elegant the oboe ... as much hard to play and own .... thanks for the great informative video

[@megadeth22885]

$1800 for the cheapest oboe.. $100 for the cheapest clarinet and $300 for the cheapest sax.. is it no wonder oboe players are so rare?

[@Thelegendofsam01]

My euphonium costed 1800 usd and I played it in 6th grade this year i guess that i could have bought a oboe

[@megadeth22885]

sam retikis sounds like you are having regrets?

[@Tchaikovstakovich]

My current Oboe was $1,000 including tax. It was on sale. So... YA lots of $$$. Also, I spend like $30 a month on reeds.

[@jessicarandom3286]

Galaxy Gazer Animations My oboe was more than $3,000 (Yamaha, of course) but it has been more than worth it. I've actually been able to stretch a reed's life span out (Well, me as in taking good care of it, and my wonderful teacher for scraping it a little now and then) to more than a year. It isn't the best reed by that time- New reeds play like no other- but I can get quite a nice sound out of it, and the harshness goes away.

[@megadeth22885]

ive been thinking about using the bottom of a clarinet, which has the keys necessary to make the two+ octaves of sound and fabricate a new double-reed mouthpiece to give the oboe sound using a cheap clarinet body.. so long as i was able to cut the double reeds to match the pitch of the single reed of the clarinet, notes should all match the oboe seems to be a Bb instrument, so using a Bb clarinet as a start should work

[@TrumpetBrony]

One does not simply "understand" the oboe.

[@kerrywoboe]

Thank you, it is done for Students and Band Directors, so we had to drop some things out of it because of time. Also, that is not really vibrato, but "Flattement", a French technique similar to vibrato. Today however the biggest names in Baroque performance DO use standard vibrato...as Nicholas McGegan said,( my Baroque Prof ) since some Treatise writers had to SAY don't use vibrato, more than likely many were in that day! Also, you are right about the ranges, but we had to be very basic.

[@iz4yt]

Bravo. You have covered a great deal of material, very important to one considering study of the oboe, making it clear and very understandable. An appreciative single reed and "air reed" player.

[@Kirsbabe]

Thank you from Norway :-) Keep up the good work!

[@Shawndoe08]

.. I liked this. This was very informative and I might contact that reference that they listed in the program.

[@billinrio]

Clear explanations and excellent performances. I found this fascinating, and I'm not even an oboist!

[@HighTen_Melanie]

Thank you for such an interesting and informative film. I'm teaching myself the oboe as it has been a life long ambition since the age of 15. I have played the flute for 25 years so this is quite a challenge. The problem for me was the cost. I'm glad a bought a brand new Buffett Crampon Oboe even though I could have bought x3 clarinets for the same cost! It is quite delightful with an amazing tone and I practice everyday and whenever I get the opportunity.

[@frozenflyify]

Thanks for this posting. Really enjoyed the info.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Glad you liked it!

[@EVEHOLT3141]

Cor anglais doesn't mean angled horn. It literally means English horn. The etymology of "anglais" comes from the fact that a people referred to as the Angles initially settled what is now England.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Thanks for the information!

[@aweshad9]

anglais means angled or referring to England. The original name for England was Angles' land because they settle in the crook or angle of the island of Britain. When they say Cor anglias they are referring to the fact that it is angled (the bocal) . It wasn't even made for England

[@EVEHOLT3141]

That's interesting. Why do we call it the English horn then? I thought the Angles derived their name from their original homeland of Angeln before they ever came to Britain.

[@aweshad9]

Since anglias means both English and angled, I guess wee misinterpreted as English Horn. Even the people in the U.K. call it Cor anglias

[@OboeWhizzy]

Aweshade Nine Wait, I thought the word Anglais, Angles, and England all came from the root Anglo, as in Anglo-saxon referring to those who went to England. The part that confuses me is that the root seems to also mean Angle, as in the bocal, but I've never heard it referred to like that until I read the comments.

[@OrchestrationOnline]

Thanks for posting this video! Very instructive to my orchestration students.

[@marcelocid1975]

What a hellish instrument to play and maintain, so it seems!

[@jessicarandom3286]

Marcelo Cid But the amazing sound when you finally succeed is more than worth it

[@maxorr1395]

Marcelo Cid Yeah and when you finally play it right it feels like your birthday

[@dawson2756]

A very nice, well presented video. Quite a surprise while surfing youtube. Is there a chance to further delve into the issues touched upon in the future? A thorough exploration of the oboe would be a welcome video series. Especially when created by this group...professional, talented and whose obvious love of the oboe infuses it with an energy that is a joy to see.

[@pattoncommander]

Thanks for the response. Understand the limitations..have run into too much of it since becomming profi back in mid 1960s. As you stated.."today's performers"...but then too many "do it this way" and totally ignore basic Baroque rules and very strict accepted ornamentation of the period. The oboe d'amore (pronounce the last e also) has been my Bread & Butter for years in Germany. Not used mainly for obligato..but many solos and lead voice in hundreds of cantatas and Baroque triosonates.

[@furinkas]

Kirt you old dog you're still in? You probably don't remember me my name is Jacob Smith we at the SOM at the same time and I saw you on tour once or twice. You recommended I get a Laubin. Best decision I ever made!

[@foveauxbear]

I loved the "stand test" for a dead reed! Made me laugh

[@ArmyFieldBand]

It's the tried-and-true method!

[@DJinThaMatrix]

When ppl see my Oboe case they ask if I play piano, when I show them it they say "ahhhh guitar I see u"

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Start with slow pulses and gradually speed it up. You need to develop your muscle coordination just like any other physical activity. Also, take a look at our new video, Flute Fundamentals, for more information about vibrato. Keep at it.

[@andrewthompson2720]

Rather surprisingly a very interesting video..nicely done.

[@dotdott1452]

The stand test.😂😂😂 I definitely do that

[@PinkieDaisy12]

@ 30:00 I literally had a heart attack XD "Stand Test" I should totally do this with this one reed that I have that's cracked severely down the middle- I can scare the other oboe and my band director! *evil plot in process*

[@myrajaimes3311]

I love this video and its not just because I play oboe its an amazing instrument

[@张元耀-b8j]

Hello, I am the video a Chinese oboe students you do a very big inspiration to me, I hope I have the opportunity to the United States in and you with the exchange of learning.

[@jacob1931]

You guys should really consider remaking this because the oboe has changed a lot

[@markgaddie6290]

I called a clarinet an oboe one time when I knew nothing about woodwinds. 3:44 What kind oboe is that he is playing? It is so beautiful. btw I play the flute. :) But seriously if you know what kind of oboe that is, tell me ASAP. (I think it was the Baroque oboe he was talking about but I am not sure).

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Yes that is an early oboe. It has far fewer keys than oboes we play now and tone is very unique. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lilboit.o.7701]

The United States Army Field Band I use a Yamaha wood silver base step up oboe would that be considered good in the oboe world

[@tomasvaliente4167]

Genial, mis mas sincera enhorabuena. Saludos.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Body movement during playing is just fine, as long as it doesn't get in the way of playing the instrument. In other words, there is movement that is good and movement that is bad. Try video recording yourself playing to see if your body movement is too much or too distracting.

[@channelAvaMcUnicorn]

Woodwind instruments are so cool yet interesting. I fail at these.... Tuba player.

[@KaterakVideos]

I have been playing Saxophone at my school for a 2 and a half years and I am thinking about taking some oboe lessons. I tried to play once with my friends oboe with a reed he had never used and I thought it was super fun. I was wondering how hard it would be to adjust to a new instrument? I play Soprano, Alto, and Baritone Saxophone. I play Alto the most.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

+PikachuGotGame It's not too difficult if you practice your new instrument on a consistent basis. If you can find an oboe teacher in your area to give you a few lessons that would be very helpful and if you can find some good reeds online that would also help.

[@sarah7k]

It's not fairly hard at all. I went from trombone (two years) to the oboe (so far two years) and since you're going from woodwind to woodwind it'll be easier since you have more of a concept

[@jimena6194]

It's not that big of a difference. I play oboe in concert band but for marching band I had to change to alto, the only thing you might have trouble with is the embouchure but for you practice you'll get better in no time

[@katherinehague6463]

I switched from alto sax in concert band to oboe. A lot of the fingerings are the same which definitely made things easier. Embouchure isn’t very difficult especially if you’ve played on a 3 strength or higher reed with your sax.

[@feonajohnson1482]

I sat on my oboe and it broke in half. But it got fixed, as good as new:)

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Glad that your oboe is fixed. Now you can get back to making beautiful music!

[@LoveLadyMJ]

+Feona „FeNix” Johnson OMG O.O

[@BlitzballMadness]

What is the chamber piece being played at the very beginning?

[@BlitzballMadness]

Never mind, I remembered (Beethoven trio for 2 oboes and english horn op. 87)

[@ArmyFieldBand]

+Luke Shimabukuro True Story!

[@patricia1254]

I live in Manaus Amazonas Brazil congratulattions

[@grahamnordquist8874]

This is a question to everyone: What do you call the lower instrument pitched, I believe, in F? Most people at my school call it the English Horn, but I, along with some friends, call it the Cor Anglais. I know they can be used interchangeably, but I would like to know what you guys all call it.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

We call it an English Horn but they are the same. Either works!

[@ArmyFieldBand]

That is the opening oboe solo from a piece by Camille Saint-Saëns called 'Danse Bacchanale'.

[@hitrykzmotion3975]

The United States Army Field Band are the clarinet and oboe simalar in fingerings

[@YANAGITAtokinori]

Nice Video ! Many thank you.

[@crazypizza4550]

What's the piece playing in the background at the beginning?

[@ArmyFieldBand]

Beethoven Trio in C Major for two oboes and English horn. op. 87

[@sashatoolit]

The United States Army Field Band is the english horn the same as the french horn?

[@ethanneal1819]

Sasha Parks No and English Horn is a lower oboe whereas the French horn is a brass instruments with a different origin.

[@oscarrh8005]

Sasha Parks the English horn is a lower sound instrument kind of like the Alto Sax to the Tenor Sax.

[@TheAnnaFisher]

Thank you or sharing this!

[@lkathleen9483]

Oboe looks so confusing. I’m a clarinet player so the reed looks so rare for me

[@mayrenvlogs2437]

This was playing at my school and it some how got to my phone

[@mayrenvlogs2437]

It was weird

[@masoncoe2649]

Question, I'm a Brass player and would like to start playing Oboe as a Side Instrument, where would I go to try one out and see if I can play it?

[@spocksmusic]

+Mason “Mason the Llama” Coe The oboe is very difficult and much different than a brass instrument - but I'd go to a music store that has one. Phone some of the local stores near you. Many may rent them by the month.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

+Mason “Mason the Llama” Coe We suggest going to a local store and trying one that they have if they don't have one maybe they can have one sent out. Look for a soft reed to try it out, something that produces sound easily off the oboe. It can be difficult to get the hang of from the start but if you like it - keep trying and find an oboe teacher. Good luck!

[@1112Hades]

I am going from an alto saxophone to an oboe for concert band and I was wondering is it more easy for me since I already play a woodwind instrument.

[@thejman3489]

29:38 my friend keeps telling me to do this with old reeds so I laughed so hard at this part

[@OneRandomTurtle]

So when it says for plastic oboes that what you hear is what you get, is that for intonation and tone quality?

[@La8Stell]

Sometimes when people play, they move around as if dancing, and it gives me more confidence and sense of pulse when I play. But some people say I look silly, so does it hinder or help playing to do so?

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

I'd be more willing to play oboe...if it weren't 3 grand for a halfway decent one.

[@ArmyFieldBand]

+FallaciousScotsman They are sadly expensive instruments. You can always check out online sites for people selling used horns at a discounted price. Sometimes there are hidden gems.

[@maxorr1395]

FallaciousScotsman or you could rent one and buy it over time

[@cmw12]

@@maxorr1395 Unfortunately it is rare to find a rental instrument that you’d want to own. If you don’t mind an intermediate level oboe, Fox instruments can be found for rent. I would suggest you rent an instrument long enough to get a sense of what it is to play the oboe and then buy one to suit you. Don’t make this decision until you have attempted reedmaking to some extent.

[@XEA6L]

Can anyone please tell me the name of the piece is being played at 1:07?

[@triplereeds]

everyone’s complaining about people calling it a clarinet but mine has been called a clarinet, flute, and trumpet

[@matthewpechtl4170]

the oboe fingering is easy the reeds however are extremely difficult to use but anyone can get used to it

[@mikehopkins1055]

You look like a violin player?

[@matthewpechtl4170]

Mike Hopkins yes

[@BasicHoneyBee]

YOU PLAY THE CLARINET *throws my oboe case*

[@pandora2456]

Why am I watching this? I play the flute 😂

[@sovietrepublic38]

Luckily I play trumpet. Trumpets are so much easier to maintain. Just oil/grease regularly and give it a bath every 2 to 3 months and it will function nicely. Sound of oboes is so beautiful though. I wanted to try but intimidated by the tedious maintaining process.

[@rafetamc]

The originary name was "Cor anglé", from this "angulate" form (oboe da caccia), but was bad translated to "English"

[@TheAnnaFisher]

"Whistle Yankee Doodle and speed up." - John Mack (1927-2006) on oboe vibrato.

[@maddiebullwinkle1361]

This video was useful to bad I'm not going to play the oboe for about 5-6 months

[@COELLO971]

NO podran ayudarme con la traduccion...gracias

[@elijahbradley1055]

this video kinda discouraged me of playing the oboe :(

[@maxorr1395]

EE Bradley don't be it is a fantastic instrument and I think you would love it

[@oscarrh8005]

EE Bradley you will like it! It's one of a kind and it has a lot of solos 😅

[@JonoWoodwindStudent]

It all seems hard and complicated, but because you start learning from the scratch and you grow, you generally don't notice the difficulties. It just becomes second nature.

[@elijahbradley1055]

Welp, after a year of playing I guess it's ok

[@raticida123456]

In the low register sounds too strong, like a trumpet

[@tmdsb2655]

SoilentRed um...no

[@Iciebleu]

I'm laughing while watching this because #oboeprobs and secretly sobbing on the inside because reality happened.

[@owenmarkus8690]

Thumbs up if you play the oboe

[@mangaluvxo]

cynthia Barnes is my private instructor

[@kerrywoboe]

Well.. fingering is one thing... embouchure is another... I was part of this video a LONG time ago... and am a professional Oboe reedmaker and freelancer now.. check out my website I can help you with reeds and reed issues! and I have an Embouchure video on my site that you might want to take a look at.

[@lkathleen9483]

Oboe looks so confusing. I’m a clarinet player so the reed is so rare for me

[@bigpardner]

I was talking about this with my psychiatrist just last week. Actually I don't talk with him but to him. He doesn't say anything but occasionally makes sounds like "hmmm", "uhh huh", etc.. It's the oboe I was saying; I just don't understand it.

[@excaliburblade96]

$5,000 for the most expensive....Hah, I wish. I paid $10,000 for my violetwood Loree directly from Loree in 2006.

[@books4free258]

Fools! No one will ever understand the oboe...

[@ChasR8]

guys. you need to hang out with pipers more. just sayin :D

[@JD17555Jess]

19:54

[@alexalestareon695]

Now it’s probably about 3,000$-20,000$

[@megadeth22885]

wow.. such a fragile instrument

[@natheniel]

indeed

[@jimena6194]

It is but it's such a beautiful instrument when played correctly

[@jorgepeterbarton]

Cor Anglais simply means English Horn. Anglais english, from the latin anglia which is the latin name for england, and that translates into 'land of angles' meaning not the english word 'angles', but people originating from angeln, germany.. that means either narrow water, angler land, hook shaped land.... ok i'll stop.

[@celeesteremix]

Make a new video

[@hollygmcintyre]

Oboe

[@nomorebushz]

All RDG tools.

[@Betachiken]

haha most expensive nowadays is 9000+

[@nomorebushz]

Looks like a mark Chudnow knife. The stand test traumatizes young students. Not recommended. 😂

[@jeremyjohnson6599]

Hate to say it but kinda sounds like a soprano sax

[@ArmyFieldBand]

It has a similar timbre, you're right! However, the oboe was invented before the soprano saxophone, so you could say that the soprano sax sounds like the oboe!