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Oboe and English Horn
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 HistoryThe first type of reed instrument was created by the Egyptians in B.C. times. The primitive form was barley straws pressed flat and placed in a small pipe. These Egyptian reed-pipes later had three to four holes added. They varied in length. The Romans had similar instruments which they called tibiae. A short double-reeded instrument had been developed by the 12th century. It had a conical bore with a wide bell. It was brought to Europe during the Crusades from the East. It was named the shawm. The 14th century brought modifications and the discant shawm was invented. The treble shawm was soon produced. The oboe was developed from this instrument in the 17th century. It was made to be performed indoors. The oboe was produced by the Hotteterre family. It was first used in the court of Louis XVI. The original name was the French word hautbois, meaning "high-wood". The oboe was made of three sections with six keys and hole. Developments in the 18th century included making different sizes. One such model was the oboe di caccia. This is the ancestor of the English horn. More key mechanisms were developed in the 19th century. Nine keys were used by 1825 with the fingering similar to the flute and bassoon. The reed was also improved upon. Top
DescriptionThe oboe is 1 foot 11.5 inches long, not including the reed. It is made with a conical bore that is larger towards the end. The English horn is 2 feet 7.5 inches long, not including the short metal tube to which the reed is attached. They are made of ebonite. The English horn has a lower, richer sound than the oboe. The oboe has been a favorite among composers for the last 300 years. The appeal is
the reedy sound which is good for staccato melodies. The English horn is used for the
lower sounds.
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Sound ProductionSound is produced by the player drawing the lips between the teeth into the mouth. The player then focuses the air through the reed at high pressure. The reeds vibrate against each other. This sets the air in the column in motion. A double reed is used for both of these instruments. This is two very thin reeds uniting to form a tubular aperture at one end. The other end is splayed out and flattened. The notes are produced by changing the length of the tube. This is accomplished through the use of keys. An open key permits air to escape the tube. A depressed key causes the air to continue through the tubing. This lengthens the air column.
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