Most difficult woodwind?

[singlereed]

Which of the main woodwinds do you think is most difficult to master - let's say to the standard required to play the standard repertoire?

Bassoon
Oboe
Clarinet
Saxophone
Flute

[Merlin]

No question in my mind. The oboe.

Oboe is the only woodwind I've ever decided to quit playing. I work regularly as a bassoonist, so I'm well aware of the challenges that horn has.

[SAXBUM]

I can play the sax, clarinet, and flute. I haven't tried the oboe yet and don't really care to. But, I have attempted the bassoon and found it to be a real challenge. I voted for bassoon. The bassoon is a beautiful instrument. I like its looks and the sound of it.

[super20dan]

i am with merlin-oboe! i gave up too.

[woodwindmaster06]

diffenityly the bassoon it is the hardest impossible but I still try

[beth]

no question in my mind, it's oboe. yes, bassoon is right behind it...but i find the oboe to be a lot less forgiving, the reeds and resistance annoying, and well, a lot harder to hide :P
and then...you have to also conquer and tame the other beast as an oboist...the english horn...dun dun dun! (which i may add is one of the most beautiful and unique instruments there is, hah)

GO DOUBLE REEDS! ;]

[woodwindmaster06]

there is nothing harder than a double reeded instrument, they should try to develop a saxophone like an oboe instead of like a clarinet so the saxophone community would know how hard they really are to play.

[jazzbluescat]

I don't know how y'all can say the hobo is more difficult than the faggott.
Man, all them gizmos that your thumb has to operate; and, your fingers are spread apart like you're trying to play 10ths on the piano. :shock:

[woodwindmaster06]

Also harmonica for me is quite difficult.

[Carl H.]

The embouchure and having to exhale before inhaling made the oboe much more difficult than the basoon, which is #2 on my difficulty scale.

[M Exner]

Beth

How similar is the English Horn to the oboe? Is it harder or easier, in your opinion, to play? And finally what key is it in?

I heard one during a wedding ceremony and fell in love with it.
You are right it's simply beautiful. Just wondering.... Mike

[woodwindmaster06]

All double reed instruments are in the key of C concert pitch.

[KSQ]

they should try to develop a saxophone like an oboe instead of like a clarinet so the saxophone community would know how hard they really are to play.

I think that's essentially a description of a sarrusophone, no?

And actually, the English horn is in the key of F (sounds a fifth lower than written).

[woodwindmaster06]

sorry I didnt no of the sarrusophone, but they should have one the size of an alto with a double reed and see what saxophone players think of it, and I just thought all double reeds are in key of C I know that oboe and bassoons are so I just assummed they were like string instruments all in concert C pitch.

[Jeff]

By far, the oboe. It's not that hard to get used to the somewhat strange fingerings for bassoon, plus Bass and Tenor Clefs, but maybe that's just the low reed player in me talking.

[beth]

the english horn is in the key of F
another cool relative of the oboe is the oboe d'amore...which is in the key of A.

any way, the english horn (technically, cor anglas) has a bocal like the bassoon and a reed similar to the bassoon...but smaller. the body itself is just a bigger oboe (except for the bulb in the bell) and for the most part has the same fingerings (but very rarely is built to low Bb like most oboes are). it too has a good deal of resistance...and the fingers, esp. in the right hand, are spread out farther than on the oboe. im somewhat small in size, and i find this instrument to have the most awkward playing position, with the curved bocal and spread hands and fingers, my right hand usually ends up resting on my leg :\
but fortunately there arent nearly as many technically challanging parts for it, as it's mainly used for color and as a lyrical solo instrument ;D

another fun instrument is contrabassoon :P
pitched a full octave below bassoon...
ive never played bassoon before, but ive played, contra, go figure, lol.

[M Exner]

Thanks Beth, for your informative answers. Sounds very challenging to tackle these double reeds. I hope someday to learn to play one of these. Mike

[michaelbaird]

I was an oboist in high school and college. The oboe is the most difficult and the bassoon next. I think clarinet is hard also. The oboe, flute and sax have the most similar fingerings. The bassoon scale is just weird. It is the most fingering user unfriendly of them all. There seems to be not alot of well thought out organization to it, like a flute or a sax.

[Big Nick]

You've all missed the obvious choice.

Anyone ever tried playing recorder allegro in 5 flats, say? (and keeping it in tune :cry: )

No contest.

[Minatar12]

I think the recorder is the hardest. After that, it would have to be the Woodwind Bong...er, I mean the English Horn.

[sopsax]

Uillean Pipes, followed by tarogato.

[jazzbluescat]

The embouchure and having to exhale before inhaling made the oboe much more difficult than the basoon, which is #2 on my difficulty scale.

We'll have to agree to disagree. Although I cannot for the life of me understand how you can say oboe is more difficult than bassoon. I can see how the breathing might be a bit more difficult than bassoon. But, taking the fingerings into consideration, I say the bassoon is much more difficult to master. Now, if both instruments are mastered, then maybe they'd be equal or one more difficult, depending in the quirks of the players.