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 English Horn bocal resitance
Author: mberkowski 
Date:   2017-03-18 20:46

Hi all,

I recently came to own a 1970's Loree English horn, and it's the first time I'm playing one since I was a university student almost 20 years ago. Back then I thought very little about bocals because the instrument I was provided had just 2 Loree choices and one was pitched too high for most use.

The instrument I bought came to me with Loree #1 & #2, and what I believe is a Dallas #7, gold. For my purposes, the Loree #2 and the Dallas #7 both have good intonation and a big resonant sound, but I prefer the middle range tone on the Dallas.

My issue is that when playing on the Dallas, I find myself out of breath and winded all the time. It seems to impart a great deal of resistance my lungs just aren't up to yet. The same reeds on the Loree are easy blowing. I notice that the curve on the Dallas is a shallower (less bent) than the Loree, but a little sharper in angle.

What approach should I be taking with this? Do you think I should try to make reeds which are less resistant overall and therefore easier on the Dallas? I've tried thinning some of my reeds on hand down but not really noticed much difference on the Dallas, so I wonder if this is a losing tactic. Should I just play on it more to build up my tolerance for it? Is it possible this is a mechanical issue, like an insufficient seal between staples (Glotin, silver) and bocal? A mismatch with those staples? Or is this something else entirely, not due to bocal choice? The instrument is in good repair.

I appreciate your input as always.

Michael

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 Topics Author  Date
 English Horn bocal resitance  new
mberkowski 2017-03-18 20:46 
 Re: English Horn bocal resitance  new
heckelmaniac 2017-03-20 03:12 
 Re: English Horn bocal resitance  new
mberkowski 2017-03-21 03:39 
 Re: English Horn bocal resitance  new
mberkowski 2017-10-15 01:07 


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