Things to do · Arts and crafts
Learn the oboe
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The oboe is a double reed instrument, sounded by two pieces of cane tied together, which vibrate to make the sound. It has a reputation for being difficult at first, and adult beginners' bands and one-to-one teachers take it on in both the UK and US.
Demanding£100 to £500 / $130 to $650MonthsIndoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
The reed is the hard part
Berkshire Maestros, a UK music service, says the oboe has a deserved reputation for being difficult, and that at first it will be hard to make a good sound; once you master the reed, you hear the instrument at its best. It also says the oboe will not be the right instrument for everyone, but is extremely rewarding.
Adult routes exist on both sides of the Atlantic. Surrey Arts lists the oboe among the instruments it teaches adults one-to-one, at any level. The British Double Reed Society, a charity for students, amateurs, professionals and teachers, lends instruments free to members from its instrument bank; its last application round closed on 15 August 2026, and it plans a new round in 2027. In the US, the Museum of Making Music's New Horizons Beginning Band takes oboes and is designed for adults who have never learned a concert band instrument.
Ways in compared
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey Arts, Surrey | Individual lessons for adults, at music centres or online | £16.10 for 20 minutes, £23 for 30 minutes |
| Howarth of London (UK residents) | Oboe rental; renter must be over 18; three months paid up front, minimum three months | £35 a month (junior oboe) to £55 a month (intermediate) |
| British Double Reed Society | Instrument bank loan for members; you arrange your own insurance | No fee to borrow; membership required |
| Museum of Making Music (US) | New Horizons Beginning Band; Wednesdays 4pm to 5.15pm, August to December 2026; no experience needed | $125 per band |
How to start
- Book one-to-one lessons through your local music service or a community music school that lists the oboe.
- Hire an oboe rather than buying one, from a maker's rental scheme or, if you join the British Double Reed Society, its instrument bank.
- Join an adult beginners' band that takes oboes, such as a New Horizons band.
Where to go
- Surrey Arts: music lessons for adults, including oboe UK
- Howarth of London: long-term instrument rental UK
- British Double Reed Society: instrument bank UK
- Museum of Making Music: New Horizons bands for adults US
We opened these links on 10 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
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Questions people ask
Is the oboe hard to learn?
Berkshire Maestros says it has a deserved reputation for being difficult, and that a good sound is hard at first until you master the reed.
Can I rent an oboe as an adult?
Yes. Howarth of London rents oboes to UK residents over 18 from £35 a month, with three months paid up front, and the British Double Reed Society lends instruments free to its members.
Can adult beginners play the oboe in a band?
Yes. The Museum of Making Music's New Horizons Beginning Band lists the oboe among its instruments and is designed for adults who have never learned a concert band instrument.
How much do oboe lessons cost?
Surrey Arts lists individual lessons for adults at £16.10 for 20 minutes or £23 for 30 minutes.
Where this comes from: Berkshire Maestros (Berks Music Trust), Oboe; Surrey County Council, Music lessons for adults; Howarth of London, Long-term instrument rental; British Double Reed Society, Who we are; British Double Reed Society, Instrument bank FAQs; Museum of Making Music, New Horizons fall band session 2026. Opened 10 November 2026.
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