Why don't oboes usually march in marching band?

First, they aren't loud enough. In a concert hall, the oboe sound will carry and cut through an orchestra, but it won't carry that well outside going up against brass, drums, and saxes. Most of the woodwinds aren't particularly effective against them anyway, and oboes and bassoons are even less so. read more

Instagram video by Marching Band Is Awesome • Oct 17, 2015 Drum major of Franklin, HS from Franklin, NC playing oboe from the podium during The Prince Of Egypt show. Oboes typically don't project well in a marching sense because their bells are pointed straight to the ground, but unlike a clarinet they are double reed instruments and aren't as loud. read more

Oboes can't be in marching band because it would be incredibly hard for one to keep an oboe steady enough to keep their mouth on the reed in correct embouchure. Also, the delicate reed would be too easily broken. Oboes altogether are very delicate and expensive instruments, it would be very risky and unwise to march one. read more

Oboes and Bassoons have much more fragile reeds than other woodwinds and the embouchure (how you hold your mouth) is a little more delicate. Therefore if you are moving and playing, you would have inconsistencies in your sound. read more