Start Your Oboe Journey with a Free Lesson

Unlike other lesson platforms where instructors may teach multiple instruments such as clarinet or voice, our teachers exclusively teach oboe. We believe in delivering the best lessons, and our instructors possess professional knowledge and degrees—not certificates—in oboe from top music schools.

We’re also proud to offer fixed, competitive pricing. We don’t require long-term contracts, and our dedicated client service team is here to help you every step of the way.

Check out our pricing page for more information.

At Lesson With You, once you submit the signup form, our customer service team will personally match you with an oboe teacher who fits your learning style, personality, and schedule. If you have specific preferences, you can include them in the form we send later.

You can also choose a teacher and request a trial by booking through the calendar—we’ll follow up once we receive it.

After your trial is scheduled, we’ll send Zoom setup tips. All you need to get started is your oboe, a laptop or computer, and high-speed internet.

📖 Learn More: Best Practices for Online Music Lessons

The average price for a half hour oboe lesson is $38, although Lesson With You charges $35 only.

Online oboe lessons using Zoom or Google Meet charge between $20-40 for a half hour lesson. Local one-on-one lessons range from $35-45 for a half hour lesson.

The pricing of oboe lessons can vary based on factors like the instructor’s expertise, performance level, academic credentials, location, teaching experience, and the duration of each lesson. Generally, in-person private lessons cost at least 10% more than online lessons.

At Lesson With You, we offer competitive, fixed rates of $35 for a half hour lesson, $50 for 45 minutes, and $65 per hour.

📖 Learn More: How Much Do Oboe Lessons Cost?

The best age for a child to start oboe lessons is typically between 8 and 10, but it largely depends on the child’s individual development and interest in learning the instrument. Additionally, the child should be able to hold and move their fingers on the oboe for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Given the nature of playing the oboe, it’s important that the child can breathe comfortably without any difficulties.

At Lesson With You, we welcome students aged 7 and up for oboe lessons.

For young oboe beginners, brands like Yamaha and Fox offer reliable plastic or resin student oboes, known for their durability and affordability, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. We generally recommend beginners consult with professional oboe teachers before making a purchase. You can even rent an instrument from a music store and then decide if the instrument works for you.

Intermediate to advanced oboe players may consider a wooden oboe for a richer sound, or professional-level wooden oboes with more nuanced tones. These oboes usually cost between $5,000 and $10,000.

How often and how long you practice the oboe depends on your schedule, age, level, and goals—but consistency is key! For beginners, our teachers usually recommend around 20 minutes per session, two to three times a week. That’s not counting the time it takes to set up and put the oboe away.

It’s also a good idea to spend a little time on reed care and preparation—it can make a big difference in your sound and help keep your instrument in great shape.

In your first lesson, your teacher will help you set up everything—from your sound and screen position to how you hold your oboe. They will also ask questions to understand your goals (based on the goal-setting form you’ll complete), your previous musical experience, your practice habits, and any current challenges.

From there, your teacher will suggest warm-ups and oboe techniques to help you grow. You will work on things like mouth and reed posture, fingering, breathing, reading music, and building a repertoire that fits your style and interests.

As a beginner oboist, it’s recommended to start with medium-soft reeds. These reeds are easy to play with and offer fine sound quality. Medium-soft reeds require less air support, helping beginners focus on developing embouchure and finger technique. As you progress, you can gradually explore different reed strengths based on your comfort and skill level.

You should also discuss reed selection and adjustments with your instructor for the best oboe experience.

Switching to the oboe from another woodwind instrument is totally possible—but it does come with a few unique challenges. The double reed and embouchure are different from what you might be used to.

That said, if you already have finger technique and some music theory knowledge, you may catch on faster in the long run than someone starting their very first instrument. Your background can really give you a head start!