Learn and Practice Oboe

New to oboe? Start with a steady sound on your reed, then learn your first fingerings and practice them a few minutes at a time. Oboe takes patience at first, and short, regular practice helps more than long sessions.

Practice in the Woodwind Trainer

Speed Match
See a note, pick its fingering from four choices.Start
Key Builder
See a note, press the keys to build its fingering.Start
Play the Note
See a note, play it on your instrument. Uses your microphone.Start
Scales
Play a whole scale in order, up and back down, by fingering.Start
Practice Reading NotesGet faster at recognizing notes on the staff. Opens in treble clef.
Charts and sight-reading
Oboe sight-reading
Play along and see what was right
Oboe fingering chart
Lowest to highest, with alternates
Oboe scale sheet
12 major scales and chromatic, printable
Tools
Tuner
Uses your microphone
Drone
Tune by ear
Transposer
Concert ↔ written
Metronome
30 to 240 BPM

Start here

WoodwindsHow to make your first sound on oboeSoak and crow on your reed, then play your first notes.WoodwindsOboe fingering chart: beginner notes and full referenceLearn the fingerings for your first notes.WoodwindsHow to get a better sound on oboeFix a thin or buzzy sound with reed placement and steady air.WoodwindsHow to choose and care for oboe reedsSoak, store, and rotate your reeds so they last.

What should I practice first?

  1. 01Soak your reed in water for a few minutes before you play, and keep it in a reed case when you're done.
  2. 02Make a steady sound on the reed alone, then on the oboe. Take a break when your lips get tired.
  3. 03Learn the fingerings for your first few notes, then practice them in Woodwind Trainer.
  4. 04Once you can play a few steady notes, try matching your pitch with the tuner or drone. Your tone will keep improving a little at a time.

More to explore

For developing playersOboe octave keys and the half-hole: playing above the staffWhen to use the half-hole and each octave key.Reading notesTreble clef lines and spaces, and faster ways to read themRead the notes in your music faster.Band skillsPlaying in tune: hearing "beats" and matching pitchHear and fix notes that are sharp or flat.Band skillsHow to practice at home in 15 minutesMake short practice sessions count.WoodwindsBreathing exercises for woodwind playersBreathing exercises for steadier air and longer phrases.

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