ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses oboe and bassoon, unlike those for flute, clarinet, and saxophone, begin with 'Potential for Success' because of inherent differences between the double reed instruments and the standard beginning woodwind instruments. In the school setting, the most efficient way to introduce the oboe to one or two beginners is to separate them from the large group of beginning instrumentalists. Vibrato is applied as a standard technique to both enhance and project tone on the flute, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone. A so-called diaphragmatic vibrato is commonly used on oboe. Frenchman Marcel Tabuteau, long-time member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, is known as the father of the American school of oboe playing. The current fingering system of the oboe is based on the acoustic principles of Theobald Boehm. Novice oboe players should play softer reeds that have good response, pitch, and stability.
