Oboe beginner

[saxygirl]

Have been playing alto sax for about 6 months (hardly any time at all really!) and was considering starting oboe as well, to become a more "rounded" musician. HOWEVER... my mum has just forked out for my sax and long story short we're now broke. :cry: Any ideas where we can get a cheap oboe? Doesnt have to be the best as long as its in working condition I'll be happy. Any ideas?
Thanks

[DougR]

Cheap, working, oboe? really difficult to find.
Almost as hard to find as a good oboe teacher, or a supply of the right kind of reeds.

Sometimes a school, or county music service will have one available to rent or borrow, but this is fairly rare.

Be patient, keep practicing, keep your eyes and ears open, and you might just get lucky.

[michaelbaird]

Buy one off of e-bay and get it to a good repairman. Then find a good teacher that plays in the local symphony. The oboe is an expensive and difficult instrument.

[saxygirl]

the harder it is to get hold of, the more expensive and difficult to play the more i want it! I have actually found one though, good condition etc for £299 so im happy! :D

[michaelbaird]

Saxygirl: Learn how to make you own reeds. It takes alot of time at first but becomes well worth it in the long run

[soreliprick]

I know this isn't the bassoon thread, but I just got mine for about the same price you paid for your oboe, and it came with a synthetic reed. It works fine for me, don't know about synthetic reeds for oboe, but I assume they're an alternative to the headaches and expense of maintaining real reeds. Any comments?

[michaelbaird]

I have tried on plastic reed and was unable to get it to work for me. I wouldn't use one for oboe. I make my own reeds, so it isn't an issue. When buying oboe reeds I would go for a medium to medium hard American style reed. www.forrests.com

[Scottias4]

I hate store bought reeds! i dont know how to make my own just yet but my teacher makes good ones for me.

hopefully youll be able to find a teacher. i went through 2 before i got a permanent one, and that one lives 30 minutes away.