Switching to Oboe
Switch to oboe from another instrument confidently in just 8 weeks. Each lesson has multiple interactive videos, sheet music downloads, and an easy to use Practice Guide to help keep students on track.
…it’s easy to learn how to play the oboe.
… you can learn how to play oboe when it’s convenient for you!
…you can fill the missing oboe voice in your local band or orchestra.
Confidently play with a proper embouchure
Know how to care for and maintain your reeds
Have a practical and efficient practice routine
Know how to simplify music as needed
Practice Guide
The anatomy of an oboe
FREE PREVIEWHow to assemble and not break the oboe
FREE PREVIEWWhere to put your fingers
Oboe Reeds
How you sit is important!
Don't skip your warm-up!
Warm up: Breathing Exercise
Let's make sound!
Warm-up: Crowing Exercise
Learning new notes
Playing songs by ear
Cleaning and safely storing your oboe
Practice Technique Spotlight: Intention
Homework assignment
Practice Guide for Lesson 2
How to protect your instrument from other students
Warm up: Breathing, Crowing
How do you sound that good? Warm-up: NOTD
It's scale time!
Practice Technique: Interval Practice
Articulation
Homework assignment
Play along: My Old Kentucky Home by S. Foster
Play along: Theme from Minuet in G by J.S. Bach
Play along: Theme from Sonata no. 12 by W.A. Mozart
Practice Guide for Lesson 3
How do you know if you need a new reed?
Warm up: Breathing, Crowing, NOTD
Warm up part 4: Scales as a warm up F and G major scales
There are HOW MANY fingerings for F natural?! Eb major scale
FREE PREVIEWExtending your range higher with Bb major scale
Practice technique spotlight: Puffing and Practicing Breaths In
FREE PREVIEWHomework and when to go on
Play along: Minuet in G minor by J.S. Bach
FREE PREVIEWPlay along: America the Beautiful by S.L. Ward and K.L. Bates
Practice Guide for Lesson 4
Starting this week, you should play in band!
Warm up: Breathing, Crowing, NOTD, Slow scales Bb and Eb major
Alternate Eb and Ab and Db major scales
Simplifying music: The Rifle Regiment March
Practice technique spotlight: Chunking
Homework and when to go on
Recording: The Rifle Regiment March
Practice Guide for Lesson 5
What is that weird sound? Water in your keys!
Warm-up: Breathing, Crowing, NOTD, Ab and Db major scales
How to play with different dynamics
C major scale - two octaves
Extending your range even higher: D major scale - two octaves
Practice Technique Spotlight: Dynamic Numbers
Play along: La Cinquantaine by J. Gabriel-Marie at 112 bpm
Play along: La Cinquantaine by J. Gabriel-Marie at 132 bpm
Play along: Beautiful Dreamer by S. Foster at 138 bpm
Play along: Beautiful Dreamer by S. Foster at 152 bpm
Homework and when to go on
…you don’t have to do the district paperwork for a professional oboist to come teach your beginning oboe students.
…you don’t have to find the budget for a clinician to teach oboe so you can have full instrumentation in the musical
…you don’t have to email back and forth to schedule time with a clinician, or worry about missing an email
In Switching to Oboe I target the specific topics students need to learn when they’re switching to oboe from another instrument so you don’t have to.
Care of reed and instrument
Embouchure formation and troubleshooting
Practice habit development
Dynamics and intonation
“"Switching to Oboe" is a really well organized, clear and easy-to-use resource for learning the basics of playing oboe. I have played flute for many years and decided to learn oboe when our band needed another one; I found Alli's instructions on everything from fingerings and air support, intonation and dynamics, to how to choose and manage reeds, were complete and really well presented. This course is an efficient and cost-effective way to learn the nuts and bolts before playing oboe in an ensemble and/or starting in-person lessons.”
Theresa, STO graduate, adult“"The course was really helpful. I greatly appreciate the lessons and all the help you provided!" ”
Rohan, STO graduate, 9th grade“Working with Ms. Gessner has tremendously eased the pressure of switching instruments, especially learning a double reed instrument like the oboe. I can comfortably play the oboe only a few months into our lessons. In my school ensemble, I'm able to play with the band.”
Madeline, 11th grade“Working with you has helped me have better rhythmic counting, play notes more accurately in tune, and play songs more comfortably. For a beginner, the fingerings get familiarized quickly with the specific practices given. Working with you helps me learn more about how to solve particular issues with how I play and with the oboe when there are any problems as well. ”
Sophia, 9th grade