My 10 yo daughter has been playing clarinet for 2 years, She was allowed into band a year early but now due to scheduling has to repeat beginner 6th grade band. She is advanced with music concept and aptitude,,I hate to see her lose interest. She wants an instrument that she can go onto the youth symphony with. She is able to play my other daughter's oboe.
What beginner bassoon do you recommend and are there smaller ones made for younger students?
We also are going to try out the one at school, but not sure if it is available,,we attend a very small rural school with no funding and limited programs.
We also have very limited financial resources..Our band instrument supplier, that the school uses does not rent out bassoons.
thanks for the help and feedback have a great day barb

Age 10 is a bit young to start bassoon, merely because of the physical challenges offered by the instrument. It is very heavy for a young person, and that means they might be clumsy with it and cause damage, either to themselves or to the instrument. Also, the finger holes are very widely separated and most youngsters of that age cannot reach the holes. There are bassoons made for smaller hands - if you reached this forum then you can easily search online for "short reach bassoons" and find several.

Thanks for the reply Drew.
She tried the regular sized bassoon at band yesterday with a med reed and she was able to play it and reach the holes. The band director said that she is close but the reach is still a little far for her.
I will look for a "Short Reach Bassoon" for now,,thanks for the help
have a great day barb