I'm a trombone palyer in the 12th grade. I'm not your average trombone player though. i'm a serious musician looking to make a curior playing and teaching once i get out of school. anyways i singed up for a third band class this year. i'm still going to play the trombone in our synphonic band but i wanted to chalenge myself and try something new. i can already play the piano ant the trombone and i know all that i would care to know on any other brass instrument.(they are all the same really) but i know nothing of the woodwin world other than theory junk. My band director said that the bassoon would be the best choise for me becuse we have school owned horns and i would learn what i needed in order understand the complications of woodwins. i'm beginging to think that he is playing a sick joke on me. in all seriousness i love the bassoon and i would appreciate all help i could get to get me started.
The two most important things you need are -
1. An instrument that works properly - all the pads must close properly & open the correct amount & all the key linkages must be adjusted correctly.
2. A good teacher - that will ensure good progress & avoidance of bad habits. Trouble is good bassoon teachers can be hard to find.
well i don't really plan to become a pro bassoon player. I'm more doing it to further my music education. i'm going to be teaching myself mostly. I will be getting help from my band directors and hopefully i can get some help from another really good player in our band.
I think what i need to know is basic stuff like
fingerings
corect aumbesure
how to find and take care of a good reed
correct tecnique.
good luck, the bassoon is a tough instrument! I'm struggling, and I'm a woodwinder! as long as you try, I'm sure you will do ok, just get ready to spend a lot on reeds!
the bassoonbrothers.com website is a cool place for just looking at! good luck
well i'm on my fith day with one now and it's coming along well. i can already play about four to five scales on it. i'm finaly getting a consistant sound too. you really wheren't kiding when you said that it's though. I'm still having a blast with it. what's funny is the one i got from the school is really nice but even with all the cork grease in the world, i can't take off the bell joint by myself. i'm comeing along great. my biggest problem right now is fingering tecnique and tounging.
Get that bell tenon eased as soon as possible - it'll be much cheaper & quicker than if you break the tenon forcing it - the wood is rather thin compared to the size of the instrument. If you take it to a tech a few $$ - if any - for the first scenario; into hundreds for the second!