playing the oboe is...

I recently said yes to once again picking up my oboe and playing in an ensemble and orchestra for our church's Christmas concert. Because I actually have a few important parts and feel like the weakest player in our otherwise talented orchestra, I'm quite motivated to practice hard and often. I tried to do a search on any information that might help my technique, and stumbled across this humorous entry on the internet. The writer (Esther Wheaton, an oboe player much more accomplished than yours truly) lists some results found on the internet, followed by her own comments. Please note I did not write any of what follows, but I do concur! If you do not understand an entry, you might be because you've never tried to play the oboe...

So I did a Google search on the phrase “Playing the oboe is”… The results are interesting! Some are normal and I would expect them, some are funny, some are wildly misinformed. Anyway, here are some of my favorites:

playing the oboe is having a good supply of reeds on hand.
But it is more of an adventure when you don’t.

Playing the oboe is one of those talents which not many people can say they have accomplished
True!

playing the oboe is harder than it should be
Yes, playing the oboe is unique. Although it seems many of the other sources liken it to swimming underwater and cross country running.

playing the oboe is not an easy thing and you will be physically tired

Playing the oboe is not brain surgery. Making a reed on the other hand…Jim always says making a reed is not brain surgery, but I’m pretty sure it’s close.

playing the oboe is an expensive proposition
Hurrrrrrgh

playing the oboe is very attractive at the moment
This was a result from someone looking to take up a second instrument. Oh the surprise they have in store.

Playing the oboe is a little crazy and masochistic at times, but it is also wonderful.
This is a result that I wrote! Aww. This is how I feel about the oboe.

playing the oboe is to be a good musician
Well, more often than playing the violin, anyway.

playing the oboe is easy once you’ve got a good reed
I wouldn’t say easy, I would say easier and also more fun.

Playing the oboe is like living on the edge
Like the edge of a knife? Of a SHARP knife?

Playing the oboe is possibly one of the easier options for the dyslexic pupil
I don’t know how this works, precisely.

Playing the oboe is an unnatural thing to do,” says symphony oboist James Gorton

Playing the oboe is almost like blowing into a straw all day. It does something to your brain
SOMETHING TERRIBLE

Playing the oboe is a life long journey
Down a road plagued by wolves.

Playing the oboe is never going to look as cool as strumming a bass, but the oboe player is doing amazing things with music
Whereas that bass player…

Playing the oboe is like trying to play with your lips pressed flat against a brick wall

playing the oboe is that we just look weird when we play
I always get multiple chins. It is awkward.

Playing the oboe is pure prayer
Like a crashing plane, but without a wing.

playing the oboe is that you get dizzy alot because you have to blow like really hard to get the sound and when you play a high note you have to blow really fast and I get light headded alot. [sic]
This is my favorite result, I think.

Playing the oboe is not a practice; if the oboe had never been invented, we could still, somehow, live full lives
LIES AND HERESY

Playing the oboe is fine, but being a musician and a music student in particular are not my favorite things

Playing the oboe is not that different from using a computer

playing the oboe is good for lung function and for strengthening mental processes
STRENGTHENING?