Author: Bucky Badger
Date: 2003-05-14 00:09
Way back in college (we are talking 1962-65) I played on the college instruments. They had all wood instruments, a Linton oboe, a selmer oboe and a selmer english horn. All the instruments back then were decent playing instruments. If I had to I could make due with those instruments. This was at a time before I got my instrument that has 3 octave keys, low Bb resonance key, left hand F key and a better F forked keywork. I especially liked the Selmer English horn which had a great tone. Back in State orchestra days I got to play the instrument on Clouds by Debussy. While the instrument played well, I didn't care for the too basic instrument layout. I think I got spoiled playing on instruments with the extra cross fingerings. As I recalled the E written (as in F-A-C-E) played well on the selmer. Sometimes pad height can affect certain notes, reed length also affect in-tuneness of notes on the top of the instrument stack (and at the bottom). I have buescher saxophone made in 1923 which is sensitive on kind of reed and strength of reed which affects pitch as well. I also had a Linton student line oboe instrument years ago that had a crack repaired that affected some notes which I had to favor. Thank goodness that the oboe reed usually lefts you adjust pitch some but not too much--too much and the pitch is unstable.
jim buchholz
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