Bass Oboe

A bass oboe is similar to a regular one with the sole difference that, by being twice the size, it creates lower notes compared to its’ smaller brother. The bass oboe is also known as a baritone oboe and it is a double reed instrument from the woodwind family.

The sound produced by a bass oboe is one octave lower than the sound made by a regular one. The lowest note it can reproduce with very high accuracy is the B2. With the help of an add-on that goes between the lower joint and bell allowing the bass oboe to reach o low flat B2.

The bass oboe is similar in all areas to the English horn. It is slightly larger and has a different set up towards the blowing end. It curves towards the player first, and than towards the other end.

The first bass oboes were similar to bassoons or large English horn (the modern shape of the bass oboe). It evolved into a very useful instrument, because it fills the spot for a low sounding blowing musical instrument. Although it has been used as an instrument for a very long time, it has only begun to be used as a solo instrument. You can hear the bass oboe in church choirs, small and large orchestras and operas, but as a single instrument as well. Jazz is also a type of music that you can hear a bass oboe in, those very soft, melodic, low tones.

The bass oboe is also used for some fine special effects in classical theatre plays, especially for storms and other sounds that are deep and low in tone. The music created with bass oboes is also used in movies, especially when a thrilling scene is taking place. The most well known pieces you could have heard a bass oboe are “In the Great Museum of Our Memory” and “The East Coast concerto for bass oboe”.

A bass oboe is a basic instrument, which any one can learn to play at. It creates an impressive type of sound and tones, standing out from an orchestra of players and instruments. Make sure you avoid fake bass oboes and purchase the very best. It is right, you are spending a little more, but what you get is an instrument of magic. Music is magical, and because the bass oboe is part of that, it is magical.