Pedagogical Insights to Successful English Horn Performance: A Guide for College-Level Oboists

Abstract

The English horn has persevered as a popular solo instrument by the many composers who have written for it since its inception as a member of the oboe family at the Court of Louis XIV in the seventeenth century. While modern English horn popularity and performance practice continues to flourish through new literature, master classes, and recordings, a review of the existing literature reveals that there is a need for an informative guide for advanced, college-level oboists who wish to begin doubling on the English horn. The present study is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource for the novice English hornist who seeks pedagogical advice on the development of specialized performance techniques, along with a discussion on the significant differences between the oboe and English horn, specialized English horn reed makingtools and supplies, and procedures for making and finishing long-scrape English horn reeds. Additionally, this study includes a brief history of the English horn and a discography of selected English horn recordings. Finally, a discussion of selected etudes from A.M.R. Barret's Forty Progressive Melodies and W. Ferling's 48 Famous Studies and correlating symphonic English horn excerpts concludes the study.