Instruments
The Modern Day Bassoon
Citation: The Modern Day Bassoon. Bassoon Resource, 2008. <http://www.bassoonresource.org/.>
Article Title: The Modern Day Bassoon
Author: N/A
Instrument: Bassoon
Magazine or Journal Title: Bassoon Resource
Summary:
Article Title: The Modern Day Bassoon
Author: N/A
Instrument: Bassoon
Magazine or Journal Title: Bassoon Resource
Summary:
- The Bassoon
- Goes 4 centuries back
- Principle tenor and bass instrument of orchestras woodwind sections
- The instrument
- Narrow conical bore leads with a bocal where the reed is placed
- Bore doubles back through long joint and out the bell
- Weighs about pounds, supported by neck strap or seat belt
- Pitched in C
- Slightly more than 3 octaves ranges: Bb below bass clef to E in treble
- Fingerings developed to go higher
- Rich, dark sonorous sound
- Orchestra: bassoon is woodwinds equivalent to the cello and trombone in the brass family
- Used in operas and contemporary music
- Lots of repertoire available for the bassoon
- The Contrabassoon
- Speaks octave lower than bassoon
- Normally orchestras lowest sounding instrument
- Associated with the double bass of woodwinds
- Is 15ft and 8in long
- Instrument
- Pitched in C
- Lower notes characterized by distinct rattle
- Peg used to place on floor for support, but can use a harness
- First developed in Bohemia and Prague
- Music written there for instrument before it came to America
- Semi Contra’s do exists
- Preferences for bass instruments throughout romantic period
- Improved the instrument in the 19thcentury: Wilhelm Heckel
- New design corrected pitch problems and stability issues.
Bassoon Buyer’s Guide
Citation: Bassoon Buyer’s Guide. The Woodwind and Brasswind. <http://www.wwbw.com/Buyer-Guides---Bassoon-g25061t0.wwbw.>
Article Title: Bassoon Buyer’s Guide
Author: N/A
Instrument: Bassoon
Magazine or Journal Title: The Woodwind and Brasswind
Summary:
2. Whisper key lock: keeps whisper key engaged when finger is not there
3. High D: comfort on high D
4. High E: comfort on high E.
F. Buying
1. Consider age and skill level of student
2. Always consult your teacher first
Article Title: Bassoon Buyer’s Guide
Author: N/A
Instrument: Bassoon
Magazine or Journal Title: The Woodwind and Brasswind
Summary:
- Bassoon Breakdown
- Parts of the instrument
- Categories
- Student
- Only have essential keys for learning bassoon
- Some made smaller to accommodate smaller hands
- Made of durable plastic’
- Student
- Intermediate
- Important to move up when they are ready
- Made of plastic or maple: warm, resonate quality
- Full German key system, without custom keys
- Professional
- Maple is material of choice among professionals
- Full German keys with custom keys for comfort and ease
- Artist
- Hand-crafted
- Materials
- Plastic: durable, not effected by humidity or temp, more affordable for beginners
- Maple: sound that resonates
- Design
- Long Bore: rounder sound, for chamber and symphonic playing
- Short Bore: open sound, for solo playing
- Features
2. Whisper key lock: keeps whisper key engaged when finger is not there
3. High D: comfort on high D
4. High E: comfort on high E.
F. Buying
1. Consider age and skill level of student
2. Always consult your teacher first
Bassoon Repairs
Citation: Fetters, Elizabeth Rusch. Bassoon Repairs. The Instrumentalist, March 2008, Vol. 62, No. 8.
Article Title: Bassoon Repairs
Author: Elizabeth Rusch Fetters
Instrument: Bassoon
Magazine or Journal Title: The Instrumentalist
Summary:
Article Title: Bassoon Repairs
Author: Elizabeth Rusch Fetters
Instrument: Bassoon
Magazine or Journal Title: The Instrumentalist
Summary:
- Good maintenance can save you hundreds of dollars of repairs
- Important to have swab and use it
- Holding it
- Never lay it on its side on your lap
- Can get hit and water seeps into pads
- Some repairs that are common among woodwind instruments, some that is unique to bassoon
- Maple is softer wood than other woodwind instruments
- Be carful with screw and not to damage the holes
- Tendons have string instead of cork
- Check boot joint for leaks, may go unseen
- Bassoon tone holes are flat
- They also have very large pads
- Check for faint buzzing sound, pads falling into tone holes
- Reset pads like any other woodwind instrument
- Always try to consult a bassoon specialty technician for major repairs or questions
- Be most careful with the bocal as dents are very difficult to get out and it is the most sensitive part of the intsrument