I play the flute but i want to learn the bassoon. Is it possible to teach yourself to play?

I tried learning the bassoon a few months ago. Sadly, I didn`t have enough time to practice and actually learn it.. But I did teach myself a few scales. If you pick up some fingering charts (you can look around online to find some) that make sense to you, then you CAN teach yourself. However, I would recommend getting someone to help you, because it is a difficult instrument to learn. There are so many keys! Also, music for the bassoon is generally written in the bass clef, so you`ll have to learn that. I`ve also seen some parts written in the alto clef, so you might want to learn that as well.

Good luck!

If you can find a bassoon teacher, and you can afford it, GO FOR IT! Well you need the time too. There aren`t many bassoon teachers out there, I don`t think it matters if their certified or something just if they really know how to play the bassoon. If you`re dedicated to practicing, then you can probably teach yourself but you might need to learn the basic things from someone.

You should really do the bassoon, because I am switching from flute to bassoon in late June! Yay!

I`ve never heard of or seen basson music writen in alto cleff. I think you are thinking of tenor cleff. and not a lot of bassoon music is written in tenor cleff or at least not enough that you should worry about it this early in the process.

I Already play the piano so i know how to read the bass clef. is it hard to blow into it? i play the flute and it dosent have any reeds, so will it wreck my embouchure?

I play the flute and I am starting to learn the bassoon next thursday. I`m really excited. i`m learning through school but if you get a book that introduces you to the instrument you should manage OK!!!! Good Look!!!!

Nazjamo could you do us all a favor and not post the exact same comment in like 5 different threads. We get it "You play the flute and your gonna learn to play the bassoon from your music teacher." I`ve read this same thing in multiple threads

Yes, exactly.

umm, i`ve been learning the bassoon in school this year, it`s kinda sucky if you don`t have a private teacher. i am confused about so many things and i know for a fact that i`m doing like a million things wrong. that`s why it`s great to ask people on here, but advice can only go so far if you have to describe the problem in words. i`d say get a private teacher if you can. i`m too lazy to find a teacher, and my band director thinks i`m pretty good at the bassoon anyways (i beg to differ) so he doesn`t really help me.


i`d also like to say that once you get your bassoon, take good care of it. omg it`s so much more delicate than any other instrument i`ve played. ¬____¬

i don`t think you should worry that much about the bass clef. i picked it up in about a week. constant practice is important because the bassoon need a lot of attention. lol. but of course, with lots of practice it`s easier to get usd to the bass clef, fingerings, etc.]

btw i don`t think they look like flute fingerings so get used to a new system. the fingerings are closer to the clarinet.

I play flute too and I took up the basson over christmas break this year. I dont recieve private lessons or anything and it is TOTALLY possible to teach yourself to play.

Alright. I know everyone on this thing keep saying "I am learning the bassoon", but I am also finding myself in that predicament. My friend wanted to learn how to play (because no one in our band has played one for about 8 years now...) and she dragged me into it. ^_^

I am kind of worried about it due to the keys (I don`t think I can reach `em!) and the weight. This thing is obese!! ::death:: I already know that I can blow into the reed.

As a sidenote, I have been playing clarinet for 9 years...so maybe trying this thingus out might be ok...?

HELP. :O

(P.T.O. I WILL be getting a private teacher. Me and my friend will be learning together. I really hope it doesn`t turn into a competition...)

GO PHANTOM! (Sorry...)

Hi all!
I`ve just done 1hr`s practice on my bassoon (her name is Maxie). I`ve been teaching myself for about 7months now and I`ve already been in 1 musical and I`m in 3 bands/orchestras/jazz groups for it! I play the Alto Sax part for the Jazz band, but it`s the same - just a different key signiture but it`s easy to change into bassoon music

In these past 7months I am at a stage where it took me 4yrs on the clarinet!!! I have been teaching myself and it IS possible to teach yourself! My music teacher tested me (she doesn`t play it though) and she says I`m about a grade 3.2 level!!! I`m only 4.1 on clarinet (5yrs of playing!)!!!

Well I must be off i jst felt like replying to this,
Ciao,
Francez

You must start playing the bassoon with a very good teacher

Visit www.mykeyo.net

Hey there - Good luck with your bassoon career.

If you are serious about learning this instrument then i would try and invest a little bit of time with a teacher - we all need to hear first hand how it sounds to be able to copy it in our own way and a teacher can act as both inspiration as well as guidance.

I would recommend a couple of trial lessons to familiarise yourself with basic things as how to hold the instrument, where each finger is placed and which of the numerous keys is played with which finger. Ask any a teacher if they offer trials as you are unfamiliar with the instrument and would like to try it out. It`s also a very expensive investment so you don`t want to make that sort of judgement too soon.

You may be able to get a sound out of the reed itself but the sound of a bassoon is not made just by blowing into a reed. Each reed is different and can affect the quality of the sound you make - this can only really be explained to you by a teacher or another player.

The bassoon is an instrument that needs careful attention at the beginning. It`s quite a complex instrument in terms of fingering as you`re not able to see where your fingers are on the front. It can be difficult to learn from scratch as you may not be able to even see that your fingers are not covering the right holes.

There are several different ways to support the instrument through neck straps, back support straps when playing standing or seat straps, spikes and leg supports when playing sitting. There is also the whole world of different crooks (bocals) and the world of bassoon reeds. Only a teacher or another player can really give you guidance on these things.

I had a years worth of lessons when i was 16, left the bassoon for 10 years and bought one 4 years ago when passing Howarth`s, the famous woodwind shop in London. I`ve taught myself since then but have had the odd lesson from people to keep my technique in check and am now a semi-pro bassoonist gigging in London. I would strongly recommend getting lessons at first and then going alone only if you cannot afford lessons.

Again - Good luck with your bassoon career!