Should I upgrade my oboe, clarinet, and flute?

Question

Hi! I have been playing flute for 5 years, clarinet for 4 years, and oboe for 3.5 years. I was wondering if I should upgrade my instruments. I feel like it is a waste of money because of the following reasons. I don't plan on becoming a professional musician until after all my schooling (university), which is when I can afford it without relying on my parents. (I'm in middle school-almost in high). Another reason is that I sound pretty good on my flute, clarinet, and oboe. My flute is silver plated nickel, but it SOMEWHAT sounds like a silver (yet not quite! still a difference). I can achieve different tone colors on my flute. My clarinet is plastic, but it sounds SOMEWHAT like wood. WAY better than most student models. My oboe is basic conservatory and plastic, but it sounds like a wood-ish oboe. It sounds smooth warm-ish and clear. I can play Mozart Concertos on all of the instruments. As you can see, they perform very well, better than most student models. However, the problem is the fact that people will look down on me because I don't play a professional or intermediate instrument in wind ensembles and orchestras. Will I not get into an orchestra (community or high school ensemble) if my instrument is student, even though it sounds pretty good (tone, technique, intonation, etc? I really want to perform with a community orchestra.
Thanks for reading the LONG post.

Answer 1

I was an oboe major in college, but doubled on flute/pic for marching season. (did clarinet grade 4-7 but was horribly bored with it).



If you are over 14, I would say go with the upgrades.



for flute, an Armstrong 800b would be fine. It's in line, open holed, and has a B foot with sterling silver (you can also get an optional gold lip plate/cap). I worked as a funeral musician (playing flute) for 9 years- and even as an adult, it's perfect for me. It ran me around 1,000. I didn't need the white gold springs, engraved keys or fancy stuff that the professional model is. For high school and college bands- this is fine. The B foot is the big kicker. Irish music and church music are known for making players use the low range.



The Selmer oboe sounds like a party favor and anything beyond middle school- you should just put it on ebay. My oboe is top of the line, and I had it custom made by Foxx. Full system, granadilla wood, third octave key, low Bb left hand f- you name it, I have it. ran me about 5,000 back in 2009 and I've never met anyone else with a better instrument. Do NOT get a rosewood one unless you want to be a soloist. It sounds way different. Yeah- in the music world, you aren't getting into an orchestra without an upgrade. I must say though there's one thing with another poster that I disagree with. Colleges want oboists, but they only want you if you're majoring on it. Purely putting it in an application is going to get you no where unless you play in all of their groups. They will make you sign an agreement previous to entering that you will be in at least one ensemble year round for every term you attend if you write it down. Be warned.



Clarinet is a little different. Since there are so many pieces, I had music school friends who just bought a wooden barrel and bell to increase the tone quality, when they didn't want to fork out a huge about for a new instrument. It's an idea

Answer 2

Here is a suggestion. Get a solid silver head for your flute. That upgrades flutes without having to buy the whole flute, and then leave the clarinet and oboe until later. Especially the oboe. There is no point in upgrading a student oboe and then using bought reeds. An oboe only sounds really good if you make your own oboe reeds.

Answer 3

Supply and demand . Flute players a dime a dozen , clarinet players are in short supply as I see it locally ( Dallas Metroplex ) . Oboe players are WHOA YOU PLAY OBOE ? Come right in .! So I would say you ditch the rest , get a pro oboe , learn to make your reeds and be welcome wherever you go.

Keep the old clarinet handy.

Answer 4

Who gets to decide if you're accepted for school and community orchestras? Ask them.