The newest innovation in music

Chris Redgate, a well known oboist and member of staff at the Royal Academy of London, has collaborated with members of Howarth oboe makers to create the newest oboe.

Firstly, there are new keys on the instrument itself. These keys allow the player to utilise microtones (1/4 notes, 1/8 notes) and multiphonics much more easily than a regular oboe. They have created an extended range expanding from a low Eb to the C THREE OCTAVES above middle C. Considering the regular oboe has a range limited to the G an octave above the stave, the new oboe's top note is an 11th higher.

Even the wood has changed. Gone is the heavy and impossibly hard African blackwood and in its place, cocobolo wood which is lighter, softer and much easier to play. The mechanics of the instrument have also changed some what (it's good to note that this particular oboe is not the conservatoire type but there are plans to introduce this into other oboes) and the biggest change is, instead of having to fiddle around with a tiny screw at the top of the oboe to change the set up, in order to play multi-phonics, microtones etc, the screw is bigger and doesn't need a screw driver to manipulate it.

Chris Redgate is in the process of preparing a concert with an artist in which he controls a laser light show with a tiny electric box on the bell of the oboe. It has gyroscopic technology, a GPS system and a small microphone connected to a wireless interface on the player's belt.

If you are interested in finding out all the details or want to learn about the development of the instrument or the new techniques it enables please go to

21st Century Oboe