I have recently become very interested in taking up the bassoon. However, I am a bit discouraged as it seems pretty much everyone who plays bassoon seriously started when they were still in school.

I am in my early 20s and I wasn't in band in school although I do play a few musical instruments now (no woodwinds). I really like the bassoon and I have read up on information considering cost and care...but I don't really see any bassoon instruction in my area besides what is available at my local university and community college.

So...I'm not asking about things like technique, cost, or maintenance of a bassoon...

What I want to ask is if you fine people think I could still learn the bassoon at my age and experience level (zero). If I were to somehow find lessons for a while, could I possibly go to the university or college and get enrolled in classes or would they likely not accept me because I didn't take it up at a younger age?

I just don't see any people my age who are just now trying to pick up this instrument.

Good heavens! Get out there and do it! Age 20 something is not too old to take up this instrument; neither is age 30 something or 40 something, or........

You already have a head start in that you read music and do play some instruments. Get yourself off to a good start by getting lessons from the very beginning and you won't be developing bad habits which will be hard to shake.

Good luck!

So true. Remember, so many skill transfer from instrument to instrument. First is reading music. Other things that you likely have are vibrato, ability to play fast tempos, and some sort of embroucure which although not completely the same will have similar elements.

Well, I can't read music. I can play a classical instrument...but it is an Indian one, and I have been trained in north Indian classical music, which is quite different from Western music. Indian music doesn't have a widely used written form so I have never had to learn to read Western music...I was taught through singing.

I've never really been trained in Western music except for a few years where I played trumpet but that was so long ago that I've certainly forgotten the things I've learned.

It'll certainly take a lot of work, but it's definately not too late to learn.
Go for it!

Someone's back on the forums *cough* *cough*

Was just passing through and couldn't resist commenting .. in fact urging you to get on with it!! I took up the bassoon at the age of 65 (gulp) and am now playing in three amateur orchestras and a wind quartet. I'm never going to be a virtuoso .. but you still could .. and I LOVE the instrument ..

lol. Who...me?
Yeah, marching band has been pretty rough lately. Haven't had a ton of time lately to be on....
We've got our first show tomorrow (Saturday) and nobody knows their drill *gulp*. I'm scared that the bass drum will run into me again, I still have the bruises from last time.
Wish me luck eh?

Go for it!

I started at 53 - though to be fair I did a lot of woodwind, including oboe, when I was much younger and of course the experience helped. But the most important thing is motivation and if you really want to give it a try don't think too much - just do it! Anyway, from where I am now, there ain't that much difference between school age and early twenties...

Too true, Mark!

You as well, Drew???

Absolutely! Tho I didn't take up the bassoon as an adult, I had a mmphmgr year hiatus. So at the advanced age of mmphmm (a lot older than most other bassoonists I know) I have now been playing again for about 7 years. Didn't stop me from getting into bands, orchestras, trios, quintets, etc.etc. and I just wish I'd done it years ago.