Sharing news and commentary about education, careers, investing, and life.

Sharing news and commentary about education, careers, investing, and life.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Oboe Advice Anyone?

Today's is quite the self-centered post, but I'm in a quandary. I used to play oboe in high school, and I've recently decided that I would like to play again. Problem is, I lack the instrument itself. I never knew too much about it to begin with, but upon Google searching "oboe for sale," it became apparent that I know even less than I thought about purchasing an oboe. I'm trying to strike the perfect balance between quality and expense. (These things apparently run around $5000 new!)

Thus, I turn to you, oh faithful readers of this blog, for help. Do you have any advice about purchasing an oboe? Or any type of musical instrument?

If you have friends who are "in the know" about such endeavors, please pass this on. I offer endless gratitude & valuable advice about leash-training a guinea pig in return! (That is, if you're interested.)

Thanks!
Becca

2 comments:

oboeinsight.com said...

I would suggest renting to begin with. Be sure to get a decent instrument even then; find one with a left F and low B-flat, for one. Fox Renard is a decent student instrument.

If you want to buy everything changes ... then you want to decide between wood and plastic, you have a ton of brands to look at, and of course the money issue pops up. (Not all oboes are $5000 (or more). Mark Chudnow makes a very good instrument for less, I believe.

I have a lot of links at my site that might help you. Martin Schuring has a page on what to look for when buying an instrument that is very good too.

Oh, and nothing says you have to buy new. I've never had a new instrument! You just have to find that right buy. Just keep in mind that if the price seems to good to be true the instrument is too horrible to be bought! :-)

Best-
pm

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much! That makes me feel a lot better to know that there are more options out there. Could you give me the link to your website?