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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Oboes are superior to clarinets in every way.

150 replies

FatalCabbage · 16/07/2014 14:03

When I am global dictator clarinet will simply be phased out with a bonfire.

Why anyone would choose to listen to the nasal whine of a clarinet instead of the heady song of an oboe is completely beyond me. Remove the clarinet section from an orchestra and nobody would notice or care. Remove the oboe and the joy would follow. And nobody would be able to tune up.

Which leads me to my other bugbear... Clarinets never ever sound properly tuned, and they slip even flatter within minutes of tuning.

They sound nasty, their reeds are weird and slimy, and they are frumpy. Mozart can FTFO too. Clarinet concerto = hell on earth.

Who's with me? FWIW trombones are stupid but sound bold, and saxophones at least have the cachet of jazz cool. Clarinets should have gone out of fashion decades ago.

OP posts:
samsam123 · 16/07/2014 18:17

jazz played on clarinet is wonderful as is when it is played in a Big Band so there.

Fram · 16/07/2014 18:18

YABVVVU! Clarinets sound divine (opening of rhapsody in blue?) oboes are just nasal and reedy and vile!

French horns sound most mellow of all.

The best music is all for the piano though! Wink

Original poster
FatalCabbage · 16/07/2014 18:21

One of the drawbacks of singing in a symphony chorus was the good view of spit valves being emptied, and various brass instruments dripping [vom]

In the best AIBU tradition I am ignoring all the clarinet lovers (weirdos) and confirming my bias. And what glorious recorder YouTubes.

The instrument question also has to consider transportation. You can shove a flute or recorder into a school bag; DM had to drive DB and his chuffing cello to school. He plays double bass now

OP posts:
JennyOnTheBlocks · 16/07/2014 18:33

DS swapped his beautiful cornet for his mate's trombone because he heard you had to clean them in the shower

I made them swap back

PandasRock · 16/07/2014 18:35

Instrument choice was a fundamental part of our criteria when changing cars recently Grin

Double bass was another one I hankered after. But that has waned over the years, while harp/French horn still burn brightly. Ho hum.

Will have to settle for getting recorders out once dc are in bed (daren't before hand in case they pick them up instead of their school versions Grin, and keep dreaming

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 16/07/2014 18:40

My DB is also a cellist turned bassist. He doesn't have a car and travels by tube with it on a little wheeled thing!

JennyOnTheBlocks · 16/07/2014 18:43

Same with us, Panda about the car

Only it's DH's drum kit percussion instruments that need the room

Peppageorge · 16/07/2014 18:47

Another one here sticking up for the poor old clarinet. However, a word of warning - once you've picked up an Alto Sax there's no going back to the clarinet. My weekly Saxophone lesson is the one thing that stops me going round the bend. One hour with no kids - bliss!

EndoplasmicReticulum · 16/07/2014 18:50

Mine are banned from the violin as it sounds awful for years.

9 year old has started the guitar and 7 year old the drums. School sent a letter home recently asking if anyone wanted to do something a bit more orchestral - but I can't afford any more lessons at the moment.

I am very wary of being "pushy music mum" after being on the receiving end of that myself.

Cadsuane · 16/07/2014 19:21

DD2 plays the violin and recorder. We are very luck that she gets free school lessons for the violin and also plays in the schools string training orchestra for two hours on Saturdays (September to April) again for free.

She is about to move to high school and will be able to carry on her lessons there but would like to go for gradings. I'm not sure if the school instructor's do this, but is it reasonable to already have two different instructor's and introduce a private teacher? Any thoughts?

FriendlyAmoeba · 16/07/2014 19:24

I used to play saxophone. Clarinets are good instruments when played correctly. I can't say I've ever enjoyed an oboe solo. They're too... whiny...

FriendlyAmoeba · 16/07/2014 19:25

One of the drawbacks of singing in a symphony chorus was the good view of spit valves being emptied, and various brass instruments dripping [vom]

Spit happens in all instruments. Trumpets seem to get it the worst though. [gag]

Shedding · 16/07/2014 19:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StatisticallyChallenged · 16/07/2014 19:32

I may have accidentally bought an alto sax today. Never played one before, bit of a whim...I suspect there will be some kindred musical whim spirits on here!

Cooroo · 16/07/2014 19:34

I usually don't bother but OP YABVU. Clarinet player here (with violinist daughter). The sound of the clarinet is rich and mellow. Glorious. (But I'd agree with you about the E flat clarinet which is an abomination and should never have been invented.)

Mind you I like oboe too. Well played. Which it often isn't.

And Mozart is god. Join me in a wind ensemble playing some of his serenades, clarinets and oboes in perfect harmony, each playing to its strengths.

I want to hate you OP, but am glad you started this thread so I'll let you off.

GreatAuntDinah · 16/07/2014 20:05

Oboes rule. Clarinets are just drippy. Any gamelan players around? We've got one set up in the basement...

Aethelfleda · 16/07/2014 20:19

Bassoons every time looks like we could have an entire tag-team
Apparently you can now get mini ones for beginner DC though I'm not sure if they sound any good .

I remember having to just wait till my hands had grown before learning a new note.....

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 16/07/2014 20:23

My DB is also a cellist turned bassist. He doesn't have a car and travels by tube with it on a little wheeled thing!

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 16/07/2014 20:23

My DB is also a cellist turned bassist. He doesn't have a car and travels by tube with it on a little wheeled thing!

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 16/07/2014 20:24

Stupid phone, sorry.

hels71 · 16/07/2014 20:27

The trumpet is by far and away the best instrument.....(although dd is starting with the tent horn as I ad a spare one in the band cupboard!!)

Ishouldbeweaving · 16/07/2014 20:37

The band cupboard is a danger zone - there's a trombone down the back of the settee that's come home for the summer and an enormous bass in the dining room that's going back tomorrow. It's big enough to lose the dog in and it is going back tomorrow even if I have to make a special trip to the band room after the delinquents have forgotten it.

cardibach · 16/07/2014 20:50

I am grade 8 flute and recorder and love them both. It is actually easier to switch to sax from flute than clarinet due to fingering similarities (oo-er missus).
Wanted DD to be a cello player but she had ideas of her own. She learnt flute but it turns out I made her an awesome instrument - her voice.
I like both clarinet and oboe depending on mood. Viola players are bonkers though. Anyone met a sane one? (apologies to viola players on thread, but, really, what are you guys on?)
Also loving niche nature of thread.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 16/07/2014 20:51

Amoeba stringed instruments don't usually generate spit. Unless you're doing it wrong.

cardibach · 16/07/2014 20:52

Oh, and I was friends with a really good bassoonist at school They are awesome too!