oboe
An oboe is a musical instrument that belongs to the woodwind family. It has a long, thin body and uses a double reed to create a high, clear, and distinct sound.
Examples
3 of 5She practices the oboe every afternoon in her room.
She plays the oboe daily at home.
The soloist performed a beautiful concerto on the oboe.
The musician played a formal oboe piece.
I think the oboe sounds a bit like a duck sometimes!
The oboe has a funny sound sometimes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
The word 'oboe' starts with 'O'. Imagine an 'O'rchestra waiting for the 'O'boe to play the first note to help them tune.
Quick Quiz
The musician adjusted the double reed on her ___ before the concert started.
Correct!
The correct answer is: oboe
Examples
She practices the oboe every afternoon in her room.
everydayShe plays the oboe daily at home.
The soloist performed a beautiful concerto on the oboe.
formalThe musician played a formal oboe piece.
I think the oboe sounds a bit like a duck sometimes!
informalThe oboe has a funny sound sometimes.
The oboe is essential for tuning the orchestra due to its stable pitch.
academicThe oboe helps other instruments tune correctly.
Our company manufactures high-quality oboe reeds for professional musicians.
businessWe make professional parts for oboes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
oboe concerto
a musical composition for an oboe and orchestra
double reed
the specific mouthpiece type used by an oboe
tuning A
the note the oboe plays for the orchestra to match
Often Confused With
An oboe uses a double reed and has a nasal tone, while a clarinet uses a single reed and has a mellower tone.
A bassoon is much larger than an oboe and produces much lower notes.
Usage Notes
When talking about playing the instrument, always use the definite article 'the' (e.g., 'He plays the oboe'). It is categorized as a woodwind instrument even though modern ones are often made of synthetic materials.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misspell it as 'obow' or 'obey'. Also, remember to use 'an' instead of 'a' before 'oboe' because it starts with a vowel sound.
Memory Tip
The word 'oboe' starts with 'O'. Imagine an 'O'rchestra waiting for the 'O'boe to play the first note to help them tune.
Word Origin
Derived from the French 'hautbois', which literally means 'high wood' (haut = high, bois = wood).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In a standard symphony orchestra, the oboe is the instrument that traditionally plays the tuning note (A440) for the rest of the ensemble.
Quick Quiz
The musician adjusted the double reed on her ___ before the concert started.
Correct!
The correct answer is: oboe
Related Vocabulary
A flute is a musical instrument that belongs to the woodwind...
bassoonA bassoon is a large woodwind instrument with a very long tu...
orchestraAn orchestra is a large group of musicians who play many dif...
clarinetA musical instrument shaped like a long black tube with meta...
symphonyA long and complex piece of music written for a large group...
More music words
melody
A1A melody is a sequence of musical notes that are pleasant to listen to and form a main tune. It is the part of a song that people usually hum or sing along with.
note
A1In music, a note is a single sound with a specific pitch and length. It also refers to the written symbol on a page that tells a musician which sound to play.
scale
A1A musical scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch, going up or down in a specific pattern. It acts like a ladder of sounds that musicians use to create melodies and harmonies.
sharp
A1In music, a sharp is a symbol (#) that tells a player to play a note one half-step higher. It also refers to the specific note that has been raised.
flat
A1In music, a flat is a symbol (♭) that tells a musician to play a note a half-step lower than usual. It also describes a sound or voice that is slightly lower than the correct musical pitch.
beat
A1The regular pulse or rhythm in a piece of music that you can clap your hands or tap your feet to. It is the basic unit of time in a song that helps musicians stay together.
bar
A1In music, a bar is a short section of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is shown on paper by vertical lines that divide the musical staff into equal parts.
time signature
A1A time signature is a set of two numbers at the beginning of a piece of music. It tells the musician how many beats are in each measure and which note value represents one beat.
instrument
A1An object that is played to make musical sounds, such as a piano, guitar, or drum. It can also be a tool used by scientists or doctors to do very exact work.
violin
A1A musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It is known for its high-pitched, expressive sound and is used in many types of music, especially classical and folk.
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