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RE: German System Learning Curve?

Author: jez
Date: 2003-04-04 11:19

Mitch,
I am a Boehm player who has just started the switch. I don't want to change completely, but want to have the option to play the Oehler in music in which it seems appropriate.
The fingering system is, obviously different, but not too difficult to get used to. There seems a certain logic in it and some passages work out much easier. It generally feels more comfortable playing in sharp keys while the Boehm suits flats.
I'm finding, at the moment, that problems occur in a few areas:
Throat A shouldn't seem different, but I'm used to it not mattering on the Boehm whether or not the G# key is down as well. It does on the Oehler so you've got to make sure you don't hold them down together.
I wish I'd got used to using the LH Eb/Bb key on the Boehm. You need it a lot.
I've got big hands but feel the stretch is noticably more. People with short fingers could have a problem reaching some keys and even keeping the open holes covered.
The plus-points are that I prefer the bottom end of the top register C#6-G6 and like having the control of tuning the R thumb key gives.
I can't make such a big sound and have had to learn not to try or it sounds too forced.
It's not so easy to find so many mouthpieces to try but I'm reasonably happy with the Vandoren German one I've got which is readily available.
The Oehler is like a developmnt of the Albert with keys added to make things more feasible, so you could have a go at learning to play that first before you take the plunge, if there's one to hand, that's what I did.
I've been enjoying the experience a lot. It puts a different perspective on familiar music and really suits some pieces.
Good luck.
jez

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