i've been playing for a couple of years now, but i've always had a problem with the A below middle C. it almost always tries to squeak on me. that's okay when you aren't playing overly difficult or fast pieces. but i'm starting to get into some more difficult stuff(i haven't been practicing very much for the last few years so i'm about lvl 5 or 6). i'm self-taught and i've never had a lesson. the only way i can fix the squeak is with the A flick key or a tongue in between whatever comes before the A. that makes fast, exposed, or lyrical pieces quite difficult. don't ask me how i got ahold of one, but i have cabart bassoon. i don't know what model though, cause there isn't exactly a wealth of information on cabart bassoons. any suggestions?

"the only way i can fix the squeak is with the A flick key". What do you do with the 'flick' key to make the note speak OK?

You should be using the flick key every time you play that A. Think of it like an octave key, just part of the fingering. If you have a bunch of staccato A's, hold the flick key down throughout them.

as to how i make the note speak, i don't know. so drew, every time you play that A you're flicking it? jeez... i'm working on the bassoon staple K191 right now and the rondo is really fast for so much flicking....

There is a really good discussion of flick keys on this site:

http://www.womblewilliams.com/bassoon.flicking.php

It will help your understanding of why the flick keys are a necessary part of fingering. That being said, however, you will occasionally get a great reed wherein you don't have to do the flicking, but it's good to get into the habit.

Flicking is the standard practice for A (at least were I come from)... but I cheat with a half hole on E. I'm bad >.>

I was taught to keep the A C & D 'flick' keys open when possible.

Some people do seem to get up-tight about the use of these keys - they maintain that they were designed only for the top octave & must never be used for the middle one. What a load of nonsense - if a key helps a note speak use it! I bet all these pedants happily use the low e-flat key to improve many notes & most keys are used for purposes they were not designed for in lots of standard fingerings.

Ignore, flick or hold open as seems best for you, the reed, the instrument, the musical context & the prevailing wind.

The flick key thing can be a little tricky.
I was never taught any particular way of using or not using them, but then when I went to music college my teacher told me that you only reeeally need to use them when slurring over the break. E.g. from D (below middle C) up to the A. Every other time, you should be giving enough support to make the note speak. I'm very much inclined to agree with this - my middle C was always really fluffy with the speaker key down, so i didn't use it if I didn't have to.
However with your case, I should use it every time. I think it might just be one of your bassoons personality traits :p

I often have a problem with middle C. A really stuffy, fluffy note on my horn with many of my reeds. I don't like to use the "speaker key" as you call it, Ruth, because it is so hard to reach, but it really does make the note sound better. If I could train myself to use it all the time, I'm sure my middle C would sound much clearer.

Cracking A's are often a symptom of the reed being to hard/heavy for the particular instrument. It shouldn't crack (squeek) when you articulate. Get some help with reed making from a bassoonist. It is normal for it to crack when slurring - that's what the flick key is for.