Did you know the oboe is the principal musical instrument in several celebrated classical and pop songs? Yes, that's true. The exceptional classical compositions, the Oboe Concerto in A Minor by Ralph Vaughan-Williams and Concerto for Oboe by Richard Strauss, have used the oboe. And as far as the pop works are concerned, Donna Summer's Last Dance and Seal's Kiss from a Rose also feature this woodwind instrument.
Hang on! That is not all. The oboe has also been a part of film music, mainly used for sad or emotional scenes. Some of the excellent movies where you can hear an oboe are The Godfather (the Love Theme), Born on the Fourth of July, and The Mission (the Oboe theme of Gabriel).
The cousins of the oboe.
The oboe belongs to the woodwind family of musical instruments. And the latter comprises many other relatives. These include the English horn (Cor Anglais), piccolo oboe (Musette), Shawm, the Oboe D’Amore, and the bass oboe (Heckelphone).
Although both English horn and oboe are wooden double-reed musical instruments that produce sweet melodies, the pitch of the former is lower than that of the oboe. Therefore, the former, i.e., the English horn, produces a more melancholy and resonant tone.
Playing the oboe is no child's play.
If you play the oboe, you know well that it requires a lot of hard work, experience, and talent to earn a name and fame as an oboe player. Also, being one of the priciest musical instruments in the orchestra, you may know that this woodwind gear needs special care. It may also need a replacement in every 10-years to 15-years if you are a professional.
Unlike its cousins, the oboe needs proper maintenance from time to time to ensure it has a pretty long lifespan. Plus, it is a very delicate musical gear. So, you should make sure to have an expert looking after its maintenance. In simple words, having an oboe is itself an expensive thing. Therefore, it is highly advisable to buy a comprehensive Oboe Insurance plan that will take care of your bills and fines (in case of public liability) as and when needed.
The reed of the oboe.
The reed is a vital component of the oboe. It is because of the reed the oboe produces such a beautiful sound. Therefore, oboist gives extraordinary importance to the same. They often buy or replace the reeds to ensure quality sound. If you are planning to buy an oboe, make sure to choose the right reed. It means you should look for easy-to-blow reeds that do not need excessive manipulation through the mouthpiece.
Did you know that professional oboists (after they read a certain level) generally make their own reed according to their needs? Yes, the reed is that important for them.
The oboe can be a hard nut to crack.
Due to various reasons, including articulation challenges, the courtier-intuitive technique to play it, and problems with the reeds, it could be tough to learn and play the oboe. If you or your child want to learn this woodwind musical instrument, you need to ensure two crucial things -
● First of all, you need to have patience.
● Secondly, you need the enthusiasm to practice and practice more to get the embouchure correct.
The similarity between the clarinet and the oboe
The clarinet and the oboe may look similar in appearance. However, in terms of make and functioning, they are not. The former is a single-reed instrument, whereas the latter comes with a double-reed. Moreover, the size of the bore in a clarinet is bigger than the oboe. It makes fingerings for the notes different too.
An insurance policy can save a great deal.
After learning all these things about the oboe, you have probably understood that it is an expensive musical instrument to buy and maintain. And, therefore, you should never compromise with its protection. It calls for a standalone Oboe Insurance policy. A specialized insurance plan will ensure that your musical instruments are safe and secure no matter what peril comes. The list of mishaps includes -
● Accidental damage
● Loss or damage due to natural calamities
● Loss or damage due to theft and vandalism
● Cases of public liabilities, and so on.
Just imagine! With just a piece of insurance paper, you can deter all possible perils surrounding your musical gear.
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