Distinct Musical Qualities of Oboe

California resident Yola Dabrowski has had a varied career involving both chiropractic care and business consulting. One of Yola Dabrowski’s personal passions is music. She was active with the Detroit Youth Symphony Orchestra, playing instruments such as piano, violin, and oboe.

A woodwind instrument that dates back to the 17th century, the oboe features silver-hued keys and a black body. This makes it look like a large clarinet to the untrained eye. However, the two classical instruments are strikingly different in several ways. For one, the oboe has two reeds instead of a single mouthpiece. In addition, the bell at the end doesn’t extend out as much as the clarinet and is thicker, which affects the sound.

Inside, the oboe is extremely narrow, with the upper section’s internal diameter only four millimeters. Nearer to the bell and air outflow area, the diameter becomes wider and forms a cone. The hole the player blows into is also narrow, with only a small amount of breath able to enter the oboe. In practical terms, this means that, unlike with other woodwinds where lack of breath can be an issue, there can actually be too much breath with the oboe. An oboe produces a bright, versatile sound that involves thick notes at the low register and nasal, piercing high notes.