Student Instrumental Course: Oboe Student, Level II: Oboe Book

The Student Instrumental Course remains a classroom standard because it balances systematic skill development with musical engagement. Edlefsen and Ployhar built this method to work seamlessly whether you're teaching individuals or a full section, and the Level II book respects where oboe students actually are at this stage—past the basics, ready for real musical problem-solving.

The material unfolds with musical intent rather than mechanical drills. Songs and exercises balance technical demands with passages that actually sound musical to perform.

Oboe students who have completed Level I and are ready for intermediate technique and repertoire. This book works equally well in private lessons, small group instruction, or a full band section learning together.

• Work through the exercises in order rather than skipping ahead; each one builds on the previous concept and establishes foundation for the next.
• Use a practice journal to track which passages need extra attention, then revisit them across multiple days rather than drilling them to exhaustion in one session.
• Record yourself playing through completed lessons so you can hear intonation and tone quality objectively.

Use this as the primary method book for oboe students in your second year of study. The correlated structure means oboists can progress alongside students on other woodwinds using the same series, making mixed-instrument coaching sessions more efficient.

• Range extension and secure intonation across the oboe's full working register
• Double-tonguing and articulation clarity
• Reading and executing varied rhythmic patterns at moderate tempos
• Phrasing and dynamic control within complete musical phrases
• Independence between oboe and accompaniment parts