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Re: Oehler vs. Boehm

Author: mrn
Date: 2008-07-28 00:48

Both are "standard," depending on where you are in the world. In France, Boehm instruments are the "standard." In Germany, Oehler instruments are the norm. In the English-speaking world, we tend to use Boehm instruments, but there are exceptions. Michelle Zhukovsky of the L.A. Phil. plays Oehler system instruments and the clarinettists of the Chicago Symphony--at least one of whom (Gregory Smith) regularly posts here--play on both Boehm and Oehler system instruments (depending on the piece).

The tone is slightly different between the two instruments, due primarily to differences in bore size, mouthpiece characteristics, etc. The German-type mouthpieces take narrower reeds. There is a hybrid instrument made in Germany called a "reform Boehm" instrument that combines the tonal characteristics of the German instruments with the French key system to get the best of both worlds. However, all the ones I've seen advertised are very expensive. (Incidentally, we American players are known for having a curious obsession with getting French instruments to sound German.)

The fingerings are not the same, but from what little exposure I have to them, they are somewhat similar. I think the most notable differences have to do with the fact that the Boehm system tends to favor alternating pinky-finger keys and the Oehler system tends to require you to slide your pinkies from key to key (although, truth be told, you have to do a little of both on both instruments), and the fact that the fingerings for low B and B-flat (and similarly second-register F and F#) vary significantly between the two instruments (fingering a Bb Boehm fingering on an Oehler instrument gets you a B natural, for instance).

Post Edited (2008-07-28 01:45)

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