Author: JRJINSA
Date: 2008-11-03 01:24
Very interesting thread. I totally agree, the English horn is so much easier. Whenever I perform for my friends or in front of groups, I always play the English horn. I just am not yet confident enough on oboe because it seems to be too picky. I truly enjoy playing the oboe but it tends to let me down where the English horn is my old faithful. The reeds always work and if they aren't up to snuff on pitch, it can easily be corrected by changing the bocal, squeezing the opening more open or closed, or moving the wire. Response is never an issue because you can blow the heck out of an English horn reed and never worry about squawks.
It is interesting to note, however, the English horn has improved my oboe playing. As a student of these instruments of 2.5 years, I'm fortunate to have both to practice on so when one leaves me depressed (usually the oboe), I can move onto something else. The oboe is still my primary focus but until I master reed making on oboe, the English horn will be my instrument of choice for "performance" because it always works and works beautifully.
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