Oboe Method Books and Fingering Charts
Selected method and technique books for students at all levels.
Beginning Methods
Gekeler, K. Gekeler Method for Oboe Bk.1 (Belwin Mills)
Good beginning method for young oboists. Covers many of the idiomatic problems of the oboe. Fingering chart is hard to read.
MacBeth, James Learn to Play the Oboe Bk. 1& 2 (Alfred Pub.)
Excellent beginning method that concentrates on rhythm and well-known melodies, but moves more slowly than Gekeler. Has an excellent fingering chart for c4-c6.
Beginning Technical Exercises
Pares, Gabriel Pares Scales (Rubank)
An excellent beginning scale book.
Intermediate Methods
Barret, A.M. A Complete Oboe Method. (1862) (Boosey and Hawkes)(also new edition ed. Martin Schuring).
A comprehensive etude book that can be used from an intermediate to a very advanced level. Especially good for teaching phrasing and style, particularly nineteenth century operatic style.
Gekeler, K. Gekeler Method for Oboe, Bk.2 (Belwin Mills)
A logical choice after Bk.1. Contains the forty progressive melodies of Barret
Moyse, Marcel Tone Development Through Interpretation (Mcginnis & Marx, 1986)
Progressive Melodies, often from operatic sources
Sellner, Joseph. Mèthode pour hautbois ou saxophone Bk.2 (Costallat)
An excellent collection of short etudes for practicing articulation, phrasing and technique.
Small, J.L. Melodious and Rhythmical Exercises (Carl Fischer)
Good intermediate study book focusing on rhythm.
Intermediate Technical Exercises
Hite, David. Melodious and Progessive Studies Book One. (Southern)
An excellent method for scale practice in the context of a musical etude
Snavely, Jack. Basic Technique for All Saxophones. (Kendor Music)
An excellent intermediate technique book.
Advanced Methods
Bozza, Eugene. 18 Etudes (Alphonse Leduc)
Technically and musically very challenging. Good for learning 20th Century style.
Devienne/Pierlot. Six Sonatas pour Hautbois Seul (Billaudot)
Good studies for learning the classical style.
Ferling, Franz W. 48 Etudes for the oboe or saxophone (Southern Music, 1860?)
Fast and slow etudes in each of 24 keys. Excellent for musical and technical issues. Very commonly used. Excellent for learning the romantic style including ornamentation.
Luttman, Reinhard. 21 Dodecaphonic Etudes
20th Century Style including some extended techniques
Piazzolla, Astor. Six Etudes for Flute (Lemoine, 1987 )
Works well on the oboe, though challenging. Can be used as concert repertoire.
Stephenson, Robert. 40 New Melodic and Technical Etudes (Jeanné)
Compilation of etudes of multiple styles and composition practices (some outside traditional genres for oboe)
Telemann. Methodical Sonatas (Barenreiter)
Good studies for learning the baroque style and ornamentation.
Advanced Technical Exercises
Andraud, Albert. Vade-Mecum of the Oboist (Southern Music Company)
Many good technical exercises and studies. Orchestral excerpts are included, but are not always accurate.
Hite, David. Foundation Studies (Southern Music Company)
An excellent technique book, including scales, chords, etc. Can be used for a Baermann Boot Camp.
Fingering Charts
Online Fingering Chart for Oboe
Excellent, and includes many options for high register fingerings.
Martin Schuring Fingering Chart
Laminated, current, easy to read and very complete.