what is an oboe

An oboe is a woodwind instrument that uses a double reed to produce sound. It is usually made of wood, but can also be made of synthetic materials such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The oboe is a long, slender wooden tube that widens out into a bell shape at the end. Attached to the wood are metal keys which are operated by the musicians fingers to open and close holes along the length of the tube. The oboe uses a double reed, which is made up of two pieces of wood that look like a flattened straw, tied together with string around a small metal tube. The reed is inserted into the top end of the instrument, and sound is produced by blowing into the reed at a sufficient air pressure, causing it to vibrate with the air column. The distinctive tone of the oboe is versatile and has been described as "bright". Professional oboists make their own reeds by hand, using cane wood that is whittled, shaped, and scraped down to a fine, thin layer on one end. The oboe is commonly used as an orchestral or solo instrument.