Oboe

About the oboe…

The oboe is a musical instrument that belongs to the woodwind family. It is characterized by its conical shape and uses a double reed with the reeds placed very close to each other. It was the main instrument used in parades and military bands until the arrival of the clarinet, and in Europe it has received different names according to each region throughout history, such as howboye, hautboit, hoboy or hautboy.

Context and a bit of history

The concept of the oboe as we know it today did not emerge until the 17th century.

However, its predecessors were already popular several millennia ago, specifically, it is believed to have descended from the abud, so we could date its first origins to around 3000 BC. It was probably created by the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, or even by all of them independently (territories where many ancient abuds have been historically found).

Another proof of its long existence are the cave paintings found depicting this instrument, or rather, an approximation of the current oboe.

Already in the 20th century, the oboe underwent significant development and began to be manufactured with greater detail and better materials, given its inclusion in symphony orchestras.

The most characteristic parts of the oboe

Oboes are made with specific woods such as vulcanite, rosewood, or grenadilla and have a canonical aesthetic full of metallic mechanisms.

The main parts of the oboe can be classified into four main groups: the lower joint, the upper joint, the reed, and the bell.

• The oboe reed: The narrow piece of wood through which air is transmitted to the instrument. The oboe reed is double and has the reeds very close together. Its main elements are: the tip, the heart, the sides, the windows, and the lower part of the scrape.

• The upper joint of the instrument: this is where the reed (previously mentioned) is inserted and where the musician will place their left hand and where the key pads are located.

• The lower joint of the instrument: Where the right hand is placed and where the different key levers are located.

• The bell: At the end of the lower joint we find the bell of the oboe, where the final sound is emitted.

The sound of the oboe and where to hear it

The oboe has a sound characterized by a bright, full, powerful, sweet, expressive, and clear timbre all at once.

It is often found in symphony orchestras, but it also fits into other genres such as chamber music, jazz bands, pop and rock music, and film soundtracks.

Within orchestras, the oboe belongs to and is located in the woodwind section, and there are usually 3 oboists.

An interesting fact is that before starting the audition, the rest of the orchestra musicians tune their instruments in reference to the tuning of the oboes present.

The oboe has a significant weight in orchestras, and there are many composers and musical works that include it.

Handel, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, Strauss, and Stravinsky are some of the composers who have featured oboes prominently in their works.

On the other hand, Trio for oboe, flute and piano Pulse Sampler or the Oboe Concerto in C major are some of the most representative works in the history of this instrument.

How the oboe works

The oboe functions similarly to other woodwind musical instruments. To make it sound, the musician or oboist must position their lips on the double reed and blow into it. At that moment, the air makes the reeds vibrate, opening and closing continuously while the musician operates the different metal keys or covers and uncovers the holes to produce various musical notes and tones.

Types of oboes

The oboe family mainly includes the standard oboe (soprano range), the oboe d'amore (mezzo-soprano range, typical of the Baroque period, sweeter tone), and the English horn (alto range). However, these are only the main ones. Nevertheless, there are more types of oboes ranging from the most traditional models to more modern ones, such as the musette or the piccolo oboe (the highest pitched of all), the baritone oboe (low register), or the Hecklephone (the lowest register).

Buying an oboe or buying an English horn is always an important decision that needs careful thought. At NEOmúsica, you can request advice if you need help choosing your ideal instrument. Contact us or call us if you need to clear up any doubts, or make an appointment and come to the store to try our products.

You might also be interested in our oboe accessories! We look forward to seeing you!