Oboe

To hear the oboe, click here.

The oboe looks very similar to the clarinet, but sounds very different! Oboes are made of wood or plastic, and their sound is produced by blowing air through a thin double reed at the upper end of the instrument. The strong sound of the oboe is easy to pick out even when many of the orchestra’s instruments are playing. The oboe plays the tuning note at the beginning of orchestra rehearsals and concerts.

The oboe is a somewhat difficult instrument for beginners, and should be played by students who are committed to practicing consistently.