Just to stick my two cents in... don't get a rauschpfeiff without trying a shawm first. People have their preferences, and mine is to let my embouchure work for me. Yes, it takes some practice to develop the lip for the double reed on the shawm, but IMHO its worth it. (As compared to the lip to seal the windway on the rauschpfeiff -- still needs developing, but its easier.) Much finer pitch control, and some volume control too when you can control the reed directly.
-- Dennis Sherman Chicago, IL, USA ----- Original Message ---- From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, April 2, 2007 5:28:24 PM Subject: Re: [HG] PS Rauschpfeif? I would urge you to consider this matter carefully. I attended a workshop in which everyone in the class in which everyone in the class got to play dulcian, shawm, schalmei, rauschpfeiff, crummhorn, cornamuse, cornetto, and rackett, the whole family of each, all in one day. I was so enchanted with the overwhelming dominance of the schalmei and the rauschpfeiff, that I got one of each at some expense, perhaps from Moeck. (Long time ago.) Turns out the wind resistance of each was well beyond my ability, and I am not one to give up on anything loud readily. I could not, in fact, play a whole piece on either without blowing my chops. It was tantamount to playing one's thumb. I was grateful in the end, to find a buyer. I am now perfectly happy with cornamuse and crummhorn. The best way to make a decision is see if you can get a bagpipe going. If you can, you can play a rauschpfeiff. Cheers, Alice See what's free at AOL.com.
