How common is the oboe?

Answer 1

The Oboe is about as common as the bassoon (the 'other' double reed).

It is present in orchestras and bands of nearly all sizes. It is used in the Woodwind Quartets and Quintets. Therefore, every such group (including schools music groups) has them.

Generally, in both orchestras and bands, there are two oboes, although as many as four may be called for. If there is a third oboe, they generally also double on English Horn.

The oboe is not as common as, say, the Clarinet, which is used in bands, orchestras, jazz bands and many other groups. While at most three clarinets are used in orchestras where they appear at all, symphonic bands use them as orchestras use violins. Additionally, while the oboe is recognized as the soprano of a family of instruments made up of the oboe, the much more rare English Horn, the even more rare Baritone oboe and the downright elusive Heckelphone, the clarinet family has many members, most of which are used in symphonic bands.

If the question is how commonly is the oboe employed in band or orchestral scores, the answer is nearly universally. String orchestras will generally add oboes first, and any orchestra larger than that retains them. Bands may or may not have oboes, but the scores invariably employ a few. In popular music, added orchestral music often employs oboes, and some rock bands in the 1960's (such as the Moody Blues) included members who played, rather than merely contracting them as added color.