Sound character of the Oboe - Philipp Dangas

Register table of the oboe

Oboe register table graphic can be enlarged. It is Link-Sensitive [Clickable].

Sheet music for the register table of the oboe in a small representation

The oboe has a harsh shawm sound across its entire scale. Your tones have the ability to stand out from the overall sound of the other instruments without any forcing. The oboe has the special ability to give the overall sound of the orchestra a special color with a single note in harmony. Or to clearly underline a modulation.

As part of the „symphonic world music“ Definitely usable because the oboe can create color contrast. And especially in lyrical passages can be clearly audible.

Expressive, lively sound example of the oboe [Music by Beethoven, Ludwig van]
Download size: 425 kilobytes
The registers and timbres of the oboe
Register Sound Character Range (from – to)
highest register Less effective, thin, good for the solo area f 3 [three-line octave]–
h 2 [two-lined octave]
middle register The most sonorous and expressive register of the oboe. b 2 [middle octave]–
f 1 [middle octave]
lowest register Massive and somewhat coarse, particularly suitable for dark clan colors. f 1 [middle octave]–
b [minor octave]

Dynamic effect of the oboe

GOboe dynamic chart graphic can be enlarged. It is Link-Sensitive [Clickable].

Sheet music for the dynamic table of the oboe

The dynamic table illustrates the different degrees of musical dynamics. In addition to the sound pressure scale measured in decibels [dB], the degrees of strength of musical dynamics are given on the left, which can be understood as "objective" degrees.

An diagram of the Dezibel scale is drawn to the right. It shows the estimated dynamic effect over the entire tonal range of the instrument. The dynamic effect (volume) as judged (perceived) by the listener.

Consider the following example: In the low register of the trumpet, the dynamic range between pianissimo [pp] 46 decibels [dB] and fortissimo [ff] 82 decibels [dB] = 36 decibels [dB]. In the high register, the range is 8 decibels [dB]. The estimated values can deviate more or less from the "objective" ones.

As a result, the deviations vary from instrument to instrument. The mentioned "objective" levels of intensity piano pianissimo [ppp]= 40 decibels [dB], p=60 decibels [dB] etc. enable the composer to predict the dynamic effects of different instruments that are sounding simultaneously.

The achievable dynamic range of the oboe - 15-20 dB [decibels]
Degree of intensity High position Low position
ff [ Fortissimo ] 88 80
pp [ Pianissimo ] 68 65