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 lesson experience, and our instructors possess professional knowledge and degrees—not certificates—in oboe from top music schools like Indiana University.

We’re also proud to offer fixed, competitive pricing, and every new student gets a complimentary trial lesson. Additionally, 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 and start your free trial today!

At Lesson With You, once you submit the signup form, our customer service team will personally match you with an oboe teacher who is the perfect fit in terms of teaching style, personality, and schedule. If you have any specific preferences, you can include them as additional requests in the form we send you later.

Once your complimentary trial lesson (30 minutes) is scheduled, we will also provide instruction on setting up the Zoom meeting. After you’ve completed the trial lesson, our client engagement team will follow up with you.

To start, all you need is a laptop or computer with high-speed internet and an oboe.

The average price for a half hour oboe lesson is $38, although Lesson With You charges $35 only. Online clarinet lessons using Zoom, Skype or Google Meet typically 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 significantly based on factors such as the instructor’s expertise, performance proficiency, academic backgrounds, 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.

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 clarinet for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Given the nature of playing the clarinet, it’s important that the child can breathe comfortably without any difficulties.

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.

The frequency and duration of your oboe practice vary based on your schedule, age, skill level, and musical goals. Our instructors recommend setting aside a regular daily practice time, aiming for an average of around 20 minutes, excluding the time spent on setup and putting away the oboe. It’s also important to dedicate some time to reed preparation and care since it can impact the sound production a lot. The important thing is to build and stick to a consistent practice routine, stay committed, and find joy in the gradual process of learning the oboe.

First, you will learn the optimal way to set up the sound, position your oboe, and arrange your screen. Teachers may ask you several questions about your musical goals, pieces you’ve played and practice habits, and any challenges you face when playing the oboe. Based on your answers, your teacher will suggest warm-up exercises and techniques to help you build your oboe skills. Throughout the lesson, your instructor will help you with improving your mouth and reed posture, fingering, breathing, understanding of music theory, and expanding your oboe repertoire.

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. Don’t forget to discuss reed selection and adjustments with your instructor for the best oboe experience.

Switching from another woodwind instrument to the oboe is possible, but it can be challenging. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the double reed and develop a specific embouchure for playing the oboe. However, if you already have some finger techniques and basic to intermediate music theory knowledge, you may progress faster in the long term than those starting an instrument from scratch.