Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2007-07-29 22:29
Bobo,
I think the ASU info you quote is very correct for cor reeds.
Take the idea the reed is not as refined as for oboe and run with that a bit.
And add your statement that the reeds are more forgiving. I think both are true and agree with some useful things my english horn teacher conveyed duing grad school.
Because they are forgiving, the cor reeds will play pretty well when still too long, too thick etc. Once some or the majority of notes seem to play well, respond well, intonation is good, etc., then look for the few stand out exceptions.
In my case, they are 2nd octave f# and g... they tend to sag in pitch when other parts of the horn seem almost right.
Then using them to guide the needed refinement, I clip the tip until both those pitches rise into place. That seems to happen with a crow of c# or d and then one of my two bocals seems to work well with the reed.
Also, at that point the embouchure can relax a bit overall and the scale and pitch stay in place.
You need to be able to play loudly in the upper 2nd octave w/o biting or it will be sharp. So, open and rather looser in the embouchure up there and blow..., and if the f# and g stay true ( by my horn's characteristics), I probably have a reed I can use in public.
I still tie with overlap, avoid wire unless I think I need it, set the slip after opening the tip and then use nail polish to cement the thread which I do not do on oboe reeds. Minus the nail polish, I find the cane is a little too movable as the reed ages.
Good luck with it, english horn is a wonderful thing.
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