I would really like to learn to play bassoon. However, I find my hands are too small to reach everything I'd have to reach to play the low Bb. I've found the existence of a mini-bassoon, but it is pitched a fifth higher than a full size bassoon, and I tend to like low parts. Is there a keyed bassoon, that would make it possible to play without having to cover the tone holes with my fingers? Those are what I cannot fully reach if I manage to get my left thumb on the key that produces the low Bb. My right hand is also badly stretched and at my age I suspect that I'd give up before I would get any facility with the stretch involved.
Thanks for any info.
Bassooner

Schreiber makes a smaller sized bassoon; perhaps this is the one you have already investigated. Moosmann also makes an easy reach bassoon. The importer's name is Miller Marketing and you can find out everything online that you need to, or drop them an email. They are very accommodating.

Most manufacturers make 'short reach' standard sized instruments - add Fox, Adler, Monnig, Amati & Puchner to the list.

Ian

Thanks for the info. Half of doing a search is knowing what term to search on.
B