Is English Horn supposed to be played this way?
Friday October 12 2007
So I recently called Mr. Weber and discussed my EH reed problems. My big problem was that I have to play a middle C on this piece (Concert F, fingered C) at ppp for 20 or 30 measures, and in doing so, it sound buzzy, and light, and ugly. Mr. Weber suggested that I review his reedmaker manual, and summarized some major points:
- Thicker tips
- Thinner hearts (proportionally)
- Smoother integration line
- Wire 5mm above the string, just to support the upper notes and not to be used for the opening, gently squeezing the sides of the blades.
- Thinnest part of the windows directly above the bark (opposed to just behind the heart)
(Granted, for all you EH reed people, I never profess to be good at EH reedmaking, but I can do it. I’m still trying to “separate myself from oboe” and “learn how to make EH reeds that don’t resemble big oboe reeds”. But you keep ordering them, so I keep trying to make them!)
This last bullet I had completely forgotten and now makes sense. One needs to scrape the extreme back of the windows to close that part down so that the air can properly channel into the staple. That’s why when you have an extremely thick-sided oboe gouge, you end up compromising the structural integrity of the reed by gouging out the same place×just above the bark×in order to close down the back of the reed and channel the air correctly.
So the reeds are working, but they’re requiring a lot firmer embouchure, and steadier air stream. I wonder if this is how the EH is actually supposed to be.
patty
Oct 14, 2007
Well, Cooper, you know I’m not the best reed maker in the world! But I have played a ton of EH. I’ve never felt as if I need a lot firmer embouchure. More air, yes ... after all, the instrument is a lot longer! But I really like to be able to play with a very similar embouchure to oboe. I just “play from deeper” if that makes sense.
I’m not sure why a C should be buzzy or anything. I’m not sure what that would be about. Do let us know when you figure it out! 
Oct 13, 2007
I also play saxophone, and playing english horn feels a lot like playing tenor saxophone—I use a pretty loose embouchure for both…but perhaps a little firmer than oboe; difficult to say. My oboe embouchure varys depending on the color I want to try to show.
Good luck,
Roger
——-