The oboe is largely considered the most difficult woodwind instrument to play, especially since it is not easily transferable from other instruments as it uses a double reed. Since it plays such an important role in tuning the band, playing the oboe can be a big responsibility. The instrument is very difficult to master, and can take many years to get a good tone
most bassoonists did not start on their own instrument. Just as an oboist usually learns a year or two of clarinet or flute before switching to oboe, a bassoonist has typically played oboe or clarinet for a year or two before switching to bassoon.
Contrabassoons are exceedingly rare in concert bands, usually only used if a piece specifically calls for one.
