Playing English horn, Oboe d’Amore, and Bass Oboe

These oboe family members have many general similarities to the Oboe, and some important specific differences. Usually these instruments are considered to be more “free blowing” and compositionally are most often assigned melodic passages. Each of these instruments does have different tuning, tone, and projection issues compared to the Oboe. They each use a different reed which needs some different tools/supplies or can be purchased from double reed stores. In general, the fingerings are the same because the music is transposed – the Oboe d’Amore is in A, The English horn in F, and the Bass Oboe sounds an octave lower than written. Each of these instruments does, however, use different fingerings from the Oboe for “problem” notes and extreme registers. As well, performers with smaller hands/arms can tend to have the potential for more injury due to the increased weight of the heavier, bigger instrument.

The oboe d’Amore (Italian for “Oboe of Love”) is in A. It was composed for primarily in the Baroque era, both orchestral and solo, though modern composers are finding the sweet, soft sound interesting. The oboe d’Amore’s most notable modern orchestral solo is in Maurice Ravel’s Bolero (starting at 3:25), and some performers are experimenting with more modern solo styles, as with this piece by Andrew Ford, performed by Geoffrey Burgess.

The tone of the oboe d’Amore is very unique, tending to project less than both the English horn and oboe. The air pressure required for playing seems low comparatively, making this instrument feel very easy to play, though not always as easy to play in tune. Specific notes with pitch problems include the C5 in particular, also the tuning note.

The English horn, or corno inglese, is pitched in F, like the French horn, and the name likely developed from the “angled horn,” as was its shape originally. Oddly, it is neither English in origin, or related to the horn. More detailed information on the history of the name.

As a regular member of the standard classical orchestra, the English horn is a very common “double” for oboe players, and many oboists own one. There is also quite extensive solo literature, and many famous orchestral solos. The upper register is definitely more unstable than the oboe’s, and projects much less, creating some challenges. Many players own several different bocals to address specific upper register issues.

The bass oboe is in C but written an octave above its sounding pitch. It can be heard most notably in several movements from The Planets by Gustav Holst ( the bass oboe starts at 1:30).

The longest and most exposed bass oboe solo in all of the orchestral literature, at nearly a full minute in length, is from Percy Grainger’s The Warriors.

The bass oboe is very heavy, with a large finger stretch, particularly when playing written C#4 and 5. It has a more limited functional range than the oboe, and sounds most idiomatic in the low and middle register, where most of its solos are written. The bass oboe has very limited orchestral and only some solo and double reed ensemble repertoire.

However, it is very fun to play!

Student and professional model instruments are available for the English horn, but the Oboe d’amore and Bass Oboe are available only in professional models. All these instruments can be rented from double reed stores, but the fees can be quite expensive.

English horn resources

Oboe d’Amore resources

Bass Oboe resources