Blow Quote by Ogden Nash
“The oboe's a horn made of wood. I'd play you a tune if I could, But the reeds are a pain, And the fingering's insane. It's the ill wind that no one blows good.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Oboe Song, 1940s (published in Nash's poetry collections)
A humorous lament about the difficulty of playing the oboe, highlighting its wooden construction, reed issues, and complex fingering
In simple terms: Playing the oboe is tough because of its wood, reeds, and fingerwork
Key Takeaway
Respect the instrument’s challenges; practice patiently
Themes
music
humor
instrumentation
Mood
lighthearted
reflective
Type
humorous
musical
When to use this quote
- Orchestra rehearsal
- private practice
- music education
- instrument repair
Key Concepts
Woodwind
mechanics
performance anxiety
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you avoid instruments because they seem hard?
- How can you make practice enjoyable?
A Different Perspective
Even skilled musicians may find the oboe frustrating, limiting its popularity
