How to look after your oboe

Ask your teacher to show you how to put your instrument together.

always take care when putting the instrument together!
line up each part of the oboe, and gently push and twist the joints together, making sure the middle keys do not hit against each other.
when putting the bell onto the instrument, ensure that you hold the Bb key down, and make sure the keys are fully aligned before releasing.
take the oboe apart in reverse order.

Cleaning your instrument

every time you play the oboe, you must clean it out thoroughly.
you will need two cleaning mops, one thin, and one thick.
use the right size mop for each section, and gently push backwards and forwards through the joint until dry.
also, once removed, you must ensure that you remove any excess water from the reed.

Reeds
Your tutor will advise you as to which type of reed to buy for your instrument, but a medium-soft reed strength is a good guideline.

General care

never leave your oboe next to a radiator or in a cold or damp place.
never force an instrument into its case or force the lid to close, and always make sure the case is properly closed before moving it, otherwise the instrument may fall out.
always put the instrument away immediately after you have finished using it.
never leave the instrument assembled on a chair, bed, music stand or anywhere it can get damaged. Clean it thoroughly and put it back in the case when not using it.