Lynne Marie Mangan

Classical Musician and Educator

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Recommended Advanced Oboe Method Books

Barret Oboe MethodAdvanced Oboe Method Books
(appropriate for advanced high school and University-level study)

  1. Barret Oboe Method (published by Boosey & Hawkes): the definitive oboe method book for serious high school and college students. Note that the new Barret Oboe Method edited by Martin Schuring is more clear to read and is spiral bound (how convenient!), but this new edition does eliminate the scale exercises at the beginning of the traditional Barret Oboe Method.Ferling

  2. Ferling 48 Famous Studies (published by Southern): early college-level technical and musical etudes. The “1st Oboe” book contains the 48 studies and and the first oboe parts to the duets and trio. The other chamber music parts are available in the separate “2nd Oboe” book.

  3. VadeMecumVade Mecum of the Oboist by Andraud (published by Southern): includes orchestral excerpts and etudes, appropriate for high school and college students. I also really appreciate using many of the technical and musical etudes for English horn studies.

  4. Melodious Etudes for Oboe of Marco Bordogni (published by Carl Fischer).
    This book of vocalese exercises (for singers) written by the famous vocal instructor Marco Bordogni, has been beautifully transcribed for oboists. These etudes are expressive, similar to the Progressive Etudes by Barret. A very good – and inexpensive – book to teach phrasing and musicality, as well as technical skills. This is a terrific book for intermediate and advanced high school
    students, as well as college students. The exercises also work well for English horn!

  5. Scales and Arpeggios for Oboe Grades 1-8 by Ian Denley (published by ABRSM/Boosey). It is important to note that the “grades” listed on the book title do not refer to U.S. grades 1 through 8, but instead reference the level for Accredidation Exams conducted by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. This book contains scales (major, minor, whole tone), arpeggios, and scales in thirds (i.e. broken thirds). The range goes up to G6 (G above the staff).

There are several excellent etude books and excerpt books available for advanced students, including several etude books by Gillet and orchestral excerpt books by Rothwell and Ferrillo.

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