A hooked seat strap? what are you on about? I do the keyring thing because the little hole in the cap of my bassoon is too small for my seat strap. When I was talking about a hook i meant the ring about half way up the instrument that's built into every bassoon, like, ever. That's what the extension is put on, which makes standing and playing on a sling about 50 times more comfortable.
Playing without a crook... that would be insteresting to watch.

Don't know if it's possible to put pix on this forum, but it would be interesting to see that extension thing you're describing, Ruth. Does it look like one could jury-rig something to work like that?

I use a seat strap with a keyring, too. Sounds like lots of us have "big hook" problems on our seat straps. You'd think manufacturers would get the message.

The piece of metal Ruth88 is on about is called a 'balance hanger'. It changes the centre of gravity so that less weight is put on the left hand.Try this link for picture:

http://www.charlesmusic.com/cgi-bin/theo?action=category&main_category=Bassoon%20Supplies&sub_category=Balance%20Hanger%20for%20Bassoon


Ruth88 mentioned about bending the crook to suit a seat strap. Be very careful about doing that.If you want to have a go only try to bend it on the straight part of the crook never on the bend.If you've any doubts leave well alone.
The best combiation is a seat strap for sitting and a harness for standing.

Hi - thanks for that link. I couldn't quite understand from the picture how it worked but get the general idea - that it puts the hanging point higher up.

I have noted Ruth's advice to bend the bocal, and privately I have felt I would NEVER try to bend my bocal, which is a Heckel and which I don't even let anyone else touch, much less try to modify it. However, on a cheaper bocal I suppose it might be tried. Personally, I don't really see the need to bend the bocal; just adjusting how high the bassoon sits by how much seat strap is hanging down, does it for me.

Yep, that's the one, the balance hanger. You're also right in that it points up. However, it needs to be fitted by a professional, because using it involves drilling a hole into your bassoon *gasp* and stuff like that. But if you do get one fitted they're brilliant.

you're absolutely right, I do recommend bending your crook slightly if you use a seat strap, but they're rather expensive, and fragile, so if you're not sure you can do it, find someone who does.

You can get a leather balance hanger which is in the form of a strap which goes around the bassoon. They're cheap and are easy to fit.
Kim Walker Leather balance hanger-if you want to put in a search.
I use a seat strap and have not needed to bend the crook.Drew's right,you just move the strap around to get the best position.

It's perfectly easy to play on a seat strap without bending the crook - all I mean is that you may need to bend the crook to get the reed going straight into your mouth, instead of at an angle - it's better for tuning. When crooks are made they're made to shape a bassoon that's played on a sling - this makes the bassoon hang more horizontal so the crook has a bigger arch in it.
I had a look at that leather balance hanger - I'm not really that impressed. It's a very good idea, and it's great that it doesn't need fitting, but i very much doubt it's very good for the bassoon - i noticed in the picture that the hanger goes right around the bassoon, over the keys - i'd be too afraid of doing the keywork some damage. Kim Walker stuff aren't always the highest quality goods anyway, I know one of the Kim Walker gig bags is rubbish and repairers always say it's the reason most of the bassoons come in for repair.

Yeah the leather one does look a bit a bit grim. I woudln't fancy having that around the keys either.

I've used a seat strap now for 5 years with very few problems. You quickly learn how you like it adjusted and it isn't much of a problem to have to stand up for bow's and the like. I never had any problems with bocal (i.e. no need to bend it) and I think it good to reiterate the dangers of trying to bend a bocal, especially on your own. So much could and likely would go wrong, shudder to think of all that money going down the drain!

I've played some with a neck strap. A google for "bassoon neck strap" pulls up many styles and types. If you are going to play standing up it is definitetly worth getting a balancee hanger of some sort. Makes everything easier!

I would just like to reiterate that the crook is very exensive, and very fragile, so if you're not sure you shouldn't do it. I also never had any problems before i had my crook bent, but it is better when you're not playing with the reed at an angle. This isn't making things up either, my teacher is brilliant - I'm at music college so have one of the best teachers you can get - and he strongly recommended it so i do think it's worth considering.

I would love a balance hanger sooo much... i want one really badly, but over here those things cost £80 (not including the fitting) and my bassoon isn't my own instrument, so i can't exactly go drilling holes in it... *pines for balance hanger*

I use a seat strap. Those neck straps are just too musch to deal with and the cups always mess with the keys while I am playing.

cups? on a neck strap? *is confuzzled*

Maybe bassoonMD has cup holders on his bassoon,like you get in a car?

I'm still really confused. Where on the bassoon are these cups? no one i know knows what you're talking about, lol.

Sorry. What I mean is that the seat straps with the cups instead of the hooks are too much to deal with. And no my bassoon does not have cup holders like a car