Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2007-06-05 21:37
Provided the reeds are in good shape (see below) and the ehorn is well-regulated and a decent horn, I find the embouchure differences slight, really just looser on the upper range of the ehorn compared to oboe and a little more open because of the bigger reed dimensions.
But there is a big difference. You need support it with more diaphram and more air flow. Lots more air...
If you ever played alto sax, that is the closest thing I can compare it too from a support and wind volume perspective.
Now the reed thingy... and this was the most important point my last teacher made to me. He was ehorn with the National Symphony in Wash. D.C. and found I was manipulating the reed too much, causing tonal changes to be inconsistent from note to note and that certain notes sagged in pitch, tonal center, etc.
His great wisdom to me was to make sure the 2nd octave f# and g do not sag in pitch. This was a primary measure of whether I was close to the goal.
Until those were resolved, I would do back flips, etc., to accomodate the reeds and then many other undesirable things happened, too.
Honestly, getting those two notes right allows me to relax over the ehorn, get better tonal consistency, response, intonation...all of it. And without biting. That is very important.
I have read from time to time on the board some people find upper 2nd octave sharp. I learned from my esteemed mentor that is a sign of reed problems more than horn or bocal and too much cane, out of balance reeds, etc., are the problem.
Nice that we can manipulate the reeds a bit with wire if needed, but also, do not be afraid to make fairly short reeds in order to stabilize the f# and g in the 2nd octave.
Once those are in place, (American reed style here) many other things just fall into place.
And my conservatory teacher told me, playing ehorn did more to improve his oboe playing than anything else.
Doubling ehorn is fun, good for oboe playing, and great for loving double reed life in general. Reeds are easy to make and they last a long time compared to oboe reeds.
Post Edited (2007-06-05 23:09)
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