 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Oboe-freak310
Date: 2006-04-22 23:01
A friend of my band director composed a piece that my high school band is playing for the first time live, and it contains a brilliant English Horn solo. I, was elected to play the English Horn on the song. I am using a nearby college's wooden F. Loree English Horn, and it is brand new. My oboe teacher (professor of oboe at the college I am borrowing the EH from), gave me the EH and a couple of reeds to use that she made. I wasn't able to have a practice session with her on the EH, so I just took it home that night. When I played, the sound was REALLY weak. It was very, very, very quiet. Before you say anything, I myself am not a bad oboe player. I am the principal oboist of my local Youth Orchestra's top band, so that probably wouldn't be the reason why I sound so bad on EH. I am playing it with an oboe embouchure, and I am wondering if that is the reason it sounds so strange. Help would be appreciated... :D
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Author: d-oboe
Date: 2006-04-22 23:57
It could be that it is not sealing correctly...however:
English horn requires quite a lot of air, and therefore, a more open embouchure than oboe. Make sure the reeds can accept the air properly. If the reed seems too closed make sure it is soaked really well. Even if it seems a little hard at first, try to play on it, and it should mellow out.
Even if you are great at oboe, EH is a completely different instrument, so you have to learn many things over again.
D
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Author: Oboe-freak310
Date: 2006-04-23 13:38
Okay, I inspected the reed and the opening seemed pretty healthy. I then soaked it a little longer than I did the night that I first got it. I put the reed on, and took your advice... I just blew... and it worked. I'm not sure what EH is supposed to sound like, so... I guess I'm on the right track. Would you know of a good website to get recordings of an EH? If not, I guess I'll just get my teacher to listen. But, thank you SO much!
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-04-23 14:30
The English horn is the total polar opposite of the oboe...everything you do on the oboe to produce a beautiful, lyrical sound will cause the English horn to sound like a small kitten that has just been stepped upon. You must use ENORMOUS breath support, and don't be afraid to BLOW. You've got a big horn there, and it takes a lot of puff to fill it. And always remember to keep your facial muscles as relaxed as possible...oboists have a very strong tendency to pinch the face as one goes higher to maintain the pitch, but the English horn has a built-in resonance vent which keeps your pitch stable on high G and A, so don't try to make any adjustments with your mouth ,just make sure you keep your air supported.
For some clips of a very, very gorgeous proper English horn sound, go to http://www.fishcreekmusic.com/fcm_sound.htm and listen to Julie Ann Giacobassi (the EH of the San Francisco Symphony, and someone I've been fortunate enough to study with).
My personal favorite is the Ballade from the Ewazen Quintet...she has an INCREDIBLY beautiful sound.
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Author: Oboe-freak310
Date: 2006-04-23 23:54
Thank you so much! I was able to have a session today with my teacher, and she told me every thing that you guys have said. She said it sounds wonderful, so... I guess I'm doing it right now. I'll have to listen to those English Horn clips. Thanks again!
-Scott
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Author: tack
Date: 2006-04-28 14:11
I did not read the other responses, but check the reed openings- the reeds will defintely sound weak if the openings are small,
1. be sure to soak up the reed well- they take longer than oboe reeds- much thicker
2. Push the wire up the reed until it is tight, or gives the reed some punch. If there is no wire, get your teacher to put wires on em.
3. if the things are not crowing c#, clip them up a bit, this will give them strength
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Author: Thomas.
Date: 2006-04-30 05:07
For some more info on playing the EH (as well as other oboe related info), have a look a this page
http://www.public.asu.edu/~schuring/Oboe/EH101.html
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