Okay, I know people ask crazy questions but …
Marching Band: Trumpet, Oboe, or English Horn?
Hey, I’m considering in trying Marching Band for my Junior year, and I’m deciding what instrument I want to play: Trumpet, oboe, or English horn. (I think I’m leaning a bit towards oboe but I want to be sure :P)I already play guitar, bass, violin, keyboard/piano, and drums. I can barely read music but I’m learning how to for violin since I’m taking orchestra, and I’m learning Jazz chords on guitar for Jazz. I’m hoping to learn a bit of sheets for bass and a bit more for piano :P
Anyways, I was wanting to see if anybody reading this could give any insight and input on any of these instruments, whether they be positive or negative, or any other suggestions :)
I considered clarinet but I’ve been hearing so many bad things about them. For flutes, people say that they can contort your face and everything is awkward to play and everything, or something. I don’t know, I’m not a blown-instrument specialist, I have never played one in my life lol
Notes:
-It has to be fairly portable.
-Obviously it has to sound pleasant but that’s my own personal preference, and I enjoy all instruments :)
-No to sax.
-Percussion seems kind of boring to me since it’s just repeatedly hitting a single drum :/
-It has to be fun to play!! :D
Some of the answers were pretty good. But some …?
you should definately play the oboe!!!! i think it would be easy to laern. my friend plays the oboe in his marching band and he absolutely loves it. he told me it was really easy to learn how to play.
If it has to be affordable, Oboe is not for you. A good oboe can be VERY pricey, most around $1000. Unless your school provides school owned instruments, I wouldn’t invest in oboes. Considering your a beginner to reed instruments, it’s not the best starter as well.. Also..in my opinion it sounds like a duck inhaling helium.
If you are going to get a woodwind instrument- Try for the Yamaha and Buffet brands, those are highly rated and you MIGHT be able to get one used for around 200.
It is the first time I hear they have an oboe in the marching band. All oboe players we know had to pick up a different instrument (typical choices are flute or saxophone) to be in the marching band. It’s a big deal for us too, and so far Daniel plans to play the synthesizer (they do have these) if he has to go there.
Most schools don’t have oboists marching, but some put them in what they call a “pit band”. That group sits in front and plays along. I prefer my students not do either of those things. Some play percussion and others choose other instruments. Some skip band all together. When I was in high school band was a big part of my life, so I encourage students to participate; good friendships can be made that way! Of course I also encourage my students to play in an orchestra, which is where we get all the “good stuff” when it comes to solos! :-)
Somehow, in our town if you want to be in the orchestra, you MUST be in the marching band too. Quite strange from my point of view.
Very strange in my opinion as well! I’ve never heard of that before!