Helpful Hints for Teaching Bassoon
Citation: Criswell, Chad. "Helpful hints for teaching bassoon." Teaching Music, Apr. 2013: 58+. General OneFile. Web. 24 Apr. 2013.Article
Title: Helpful hints for teaching bassoon
Author: Chad Criswell
Instrument: Bassoon
Magazine or Journal Title: Teaching Music
Summary:
I. For those who feel unprepared to teach bassoon: Helpful Hints
II. Common Problem: Playable range
1. Can use parts that double trombone or bari sax
2. New bassoonist should focus on notes from F to F (not Bb to Bb)
3. Baxi sax parts can be a better fit for bassoons range
III. Alternate parts
1. Will help bassoonist develop at their own pace
2. Minimizes need to play higher notes with half-hole and other venting combinations
3. Range helps reinforce relaxed embouchure
IV. Which students to play bassoon
1. Flute players tend to start with better embouchure
2. Clarinet and sax may try to use teeth as support
3. Ideal: use balanced muscle pressure on the reed
V. Equipment suggestions
1. No need to purchase a wooden bassoon
2. Companies know for their wooden bassoons also have good plastic or resin bassoons
3. As long as it is a good quality manufacturer
VI. Reeds
1. Best for students to by custom reeds, not shelf reeds
2. May seem more expensive, often opposite
3. Hand made almost guarantees good reed, shelf ones are few and far between
4. Can always make adjustments on handmade ones, commercial ones can't be returned after opened
5. Develop relationship with people who can provide helpful sources of bassoon information
Title: Helpful hints for teaching bassoon
Author: Chad Criswell
Instrument: Bassoon
Magazine or Journal Title: Teaching Music
Summary:
I. For those who feel unprepared to teach bassoon: Helpful Hints
II. Common Problem: Playable range
1. Can use parts that double trombone or bari sax
2. New bassoonist should focus on notes from F to F (not Bb to Bb)
3. Baxi sax parts can be a better fit for bassoons range
III. Alternate parts
1. Will help bassoonist develop at their own pace
2. Minimizes need to play higher notes with half-hole and other venting combinations
3. Range helps reinforce relaxed embouchure
IV. Which students to play bassoon
1. Flute players tend to start with better embouchure
2. Clarinet and sax may try to use teeth as support
3. Ideal: use balanced muscle pressure on the reed
V. Equipment suggestions
1. No need to purchase a wooden bassoon
2. Companies know for their wooden bassoons also have good plastic or resin bassoons
3. As long as it is a good quality manufacturer
VI. Reeds
1. Best for students to by custom reeds, not shelf reeds
2. May seem more expensive, often opposite
3. Hand made almost guarantees good reed, shelf ones are few and far between
4. Can always make adjustments on handmade ones, commercial ones can't be returned after opened
5. Develop relationship with people who can provide helpful sources of bassoon information