Oboe - An Intriguing Music Instrument

The Oboe, famous for its classical pieces, is a member of the double-reed woodwind family. Mostly known for its bright and penetrating sound, the Oboe is perfect for tuning the orchestra. 

Music for the standard Oboe is written in the assumed concert pitch (i.e., it is not a transposing instrument), and the instrument has a soprano range. 

We all know music lives forever, but the lifespan of instruments is short-lived. Therefore, it is advisable to safeguard your instrument with Oboe insurance to protect it financially against all odds. 

Why is Oboe Important?

Oboe is a common musical instrument of various orchestras, woodwind quintets, symphonic bands, and so on. Even if you are a binge-watcher, you may have heard of an Oboe in various shows or movies. 

In orchestras or bands, an oboist or an Oboe player plays a vital role as it is the role of an oboist to tune the whole orchestra. Orchestras tune to a concert by first playing the Oboe, the pitch is secured, and its penetrating sound makes it ideal for tuning as it is easily detectable and makes the tuning pitch perfect. Thus, an oboist sits in the middle of the whole band. 

Plus, there is a sudden spark in the melody of an Oboe. The melody of an Oboe is used to express the sadder parts or emotional portions of any music. You may find a sudden peace and pleasure yet gloom in the music of an Oboe. Various composers and music directors use this instrument to express the exotic portions of music as its nasal tone gives an oriental quality.

How to Take Care of an Oboe?

If you are planning to get an Oboe or are a beginner, it is essential to know how to take care of your Oboe. Violas, Violins, cellos, and on are expensive and delicate; thus, they need extra care and maintenance. One must be careful about their Oboe if one what their instrument to live long.

The pitch of the Oboe is affected by the make of the reed. The reed has a dominating effect on the sound of the instrument. Variations in cane, other construction or raw materials, the aging of the reed, and differences in scrape and length all affect the pitch to a great extent. Weather conditions such as temperature and humidity also affect the instrument's pitch.

The major factor in playing the Oboe is making the reed and its control by the lips and mouth. Professional players make their reeds, and although ready-made reeds can be purchased, they are expensive.

So how can one take care of their Oboe? Well, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:

1. Before playing, soak your reed. While assembling your Oboe, soak the reed in water before playing, as this will make the reed easier to play and last long.

2. After playing, always wipe down your Oboe with a swab, as this will remove saliva or dirt that may be built in. 

3. Before playing, always make sure the oboe tenons can move without being overly stiff. If they are stiff, put some grease on them, which will be good. 

4. Polishing the keyword for 5 mins every two weeks secures the silver on the instrument.

5. Always oil the spring of an Oboe.

How to Protect Your Oboe? 

Since the Oboe is made entirely of wood, it can easily catch fire, it is prone to breaking or damage, and there is always the risk of burglary and accidents. Nobody would want their lovable instrument to be lost and not even get its worth for the loss. Thus, it is highly advisable to avail of an insurance policy for the instrument. This ensures coverage for theft, fires, and accidents. Selecting an Oboe insurance policy for your instrument can be a tedious task, but if you view the available options according to your needs, then it becomes easier.

Conclusion

The Oboe is an amusing instrument with an exciting evolutionary history. They have a warm and endearing vibrato making them a perfect fit and support for the orchestra setup. Also, it is extremely necessary for properly coordinating any orchestra concert. From the look, it might imply a very complicated instrument. However, once you start practicing, you can get a good handle.