I am a sixteen year old bassoonist from Lowestoft. I have been playing bassoon for seven years and for the first five years I had a bassoon on loan from Suffolk County Council Music Service as I couldn't afford my own. After this time, they needed it back and I had to buy a bassoon quickly but couldn't afford one of a quality that would get me through sixth form and into university as I wish to become either a peripatetic or school music teacher teaching privately on the side. We found a cheap one on Gear4Music's website which was not made correctly so it constantly has problems. Unfortunately we cannot afford another bassoon as we are still paying on credit for this one.
I am a grade 5-6 standard bassoonist but I cannot progress any further on this bassoon as it restricts my ability. I recently found a local bassoonist who could help me learn bassoon after four years of no lessons and he is trying to help me but the best advice he can give is 'get a new bassoon'. As I am in a family of five children, all younger than me, and both my mother and step-father work and i have no contact with my father we are struggling financially as it is.
My bassoon teacher found me a ex-army Schreiber bassoon to loan which would cost £5000 to buy and most charities won't support me; mainly for three reasons:
i)They think I am too young
ii)It is too much money to ask of them
iii)I have not got forms in by deadlines because I only found out about the forms either a few days before or just after deadlines.
Is there any way that you could help me or do you know anyone that can?
Thank you

What I think you are asking is for someone to give you a bassoon. You need to realise that this is probably not going to happen, given the prices of bassoons, and decide what you can do to help yourself. Your teacher, if he has faith in your ability, is the best person to help you, and hopefully you should be able to find something cheaper than a 5000 pound Schreiber.

Like Drew I feel that an ex-army Schreiber bassoon is way over priced at £5000 even if it is one of their top 'professional' models - you would be able to get a much better deal on, what wouild probaly be, a more modern second hand instrument from one of the specialist dealers in UK.

Regarding the GFM bassoon - I agree they are not the best of instruments but ones that I have seen have not been set up well from new. I'm sure, as a stop gap, by taking it to a specialist bassoon repairer the tuning could be improved & mechanics without spending much money.

You are in a difficult situation not having any available cash for a reasonable bassoon. Also congratulations for persevering without a teacher for so long.

Good luck.

Thank you and I do realise it's difficult to raise funds. It is worth considering repairing the GFM bassoon but as my teacher has already advised me to sell it to raise funds I have found a buyer, this makes it a little more difficult, I am in contact with one charity that says they may be able to find something cheaper in time - they emailed me yesterday and Drew, I'm nt asking for someone to give me a bassoon, I'm asking if anyone can help or knows people who can, thank you both for your information.
- Jess Button

Have you come across this organisation, Jess

www.benslow-musical-instrument-hire.org.uk

No, I'll have a look, thank you