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Why Oboes Are So Expensive

Craftsmanship, materials, and niche demand make this instrument pricey.

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This fascinating video takes a close look at the painstaking process for making oboes, a woodwind that stands out as one of the most expensive instruments in any orchestra. The artisans depicted below must contend with costly and dwindling supplies as well as limited demand from a small and selective market, factors that make this specialty business even more complicated.

Questions:

  1. Why are the material costs for oboes so high compared to other instruments like flutes and clarinets?
  2. How does demand from a small and specialty market drive production decisions for oboe makers like Howarth?
Author: NickelsMcHughMcHugh