Valparaiso, Indiana

Following the inspection and necessary repairs by a qualified repair technician for your new English horn experience, the following mechanical problems and simple solutions will be helpful as you begin playing this new instrument.  Although the English horn is similar to the oboe in many ways, there are new mechanical challenges that will require your attention on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

#1

Be sure that your upper and lower joints are properly connected.  If it is difficult to attach both joints use cork grease so that you can twist the two joints together with ease.  At the same time, the two joints can be too loosely connected causing the connecting keys on each joint to become disconnected as you apply pressure of each hand onto your keys.  You may need to have a new cork or you can add one or two layers of masking tape over the cork with cork grease applied to the masking tape to secure this connection.

#2

Your English horn reed is attached to a metal staple than connects with a metal bocal.  This connection needs to be snug so there is a seal with no air leaking between the staple and the bocal and to assure that the staple does not become disconnected to the bocal leaving you with the English horn reed dangling between your lips.  Be sure to twist the staple onto the bocal and apply a little pressure to be sure that the connection is snug.  Some players prefer to add a small piece of plastic tubing to the end of staple that will overlap onto the bocal so that there is a secure seal between the staple and bocal.

# 3

Playing half-hole notes (“C#,” “D,” and “Eb”) are challenging when approaching these half-hole notes from notes that are not played with a half-hole because of the large size of the the “B” key.  Positioning your first finger on your left hand in the center of the large “B” key where the key has a split allows you to more easily  roll your first finger which is similar to what you have done on the oboe.  This  larger key and the larger upper joint sstretches the distance between your first and second fingers on your left beyond what you are comfortable with on the oboe.  The tendency is to place your first finger too low on “B” key; thus, when you need to half-hole a note your first finger struggles to move upward on the key in time to play the rhythm indicated in the music.  This new finger placement will take time to feel comfortable, but it is essential that you work on this technique as part of your practicing to make this necessary adjustment.

# 4

As part of your practice to improve your half-hole technique with the first finger of your left hand, slowly play slur patterns to half-hole “D” from low “G,”, “A,” and “B.”  Keep your fingers close to the keys, squeeze your fingers, and be sure not to slap the keys when you are playing this connecting pattern from non-half-hole notes to half-hole notes.  Secondly, repeat the same idea but start above the half-hole “D” by playing slur patterns to half-hole “D” from high “G,” forked “F,” and “E.”  It is helpful to look at your finger position and the movement of your fingers in a mirror.  When you are not depressing a key your fingers should still stay on the key or near the key.  When you look in the mirror your fingers should not look like they are flags waving in the air.

# 5

Inspect your instrument when putting it together to see that the small screws and large rods and not loosening from the posts of your instrument.  If there is not a small screwdriver in your case be sure to purchase a small screwdriver to keep the screws and rods snug against the posts.  Be sure you do not touch your adjusting screws.  Be sure you know the difference between adjusting screws that coordinate the movement of your keys and rods and screws that hold the keys together.  You have a small rod for each of your octave keys.  These  two rods can easily become loose and if not tighten cause your octave key not to work.
Be sure not to over tighten the screws.

# 6

Sticky key pads that do not open and close properly occur because of the sugar in your saliva attaches to your key pads.  Over time you will move your octave key but the pad will stick to the instrument not allowing you to sound notes in the upper register.  With a pencil scribble your pencil lead (graphite) onto a piece of regular writing or printer paper and then cut the paper into a strip that is approximately 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.  Slide the paper under your sticky key pad with the graphite on top.  Lightly depress the key onto the graphite and gently pull the paper out from under the key.  Repeat 3 times.  Follow the same procedure with the graphite side of the paper on the bottom.  Check your octave key to be sure it moves appropriately.  Sticky keys are common, especially your two octave keys and your “Ab” key.  Keep your paper with graphite in your case.

# 7

Be sure to purchase a silk English horn swab and clean out your instrument after each practice session and concert performance. (Your silk oboe swab will not be effective in cleaning your English horn.)  This will help decrease problems with sticky keys.  If you are playing a wood English horn it is important to keep a humidifier in your case, especially between the months of November and May to avoid the possibility of your instrument cracking.  The humidifier will keep sufficient moisture in your case during the dry-weather months.  Be sure to follow the directions on the package for the proper usage of your humidifier.

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