i am 13 and i am thinking of changing to flute.}
can anybody answer these questions?

1. can you hear the flute in orchestras and bands, because it is a soft instrument

2. does it play the melody?

thanks

1. Yes, in fact, our orchestra director threatens to not let us all play if we don't keep it down.

2. Sometimes you play the melody. Other times you don't. Many times you'll play a counterpoint to a brass or string melody. There is as much boring flute music as there is bassoon music.

I played the bassoon in high school for two years. I understand how you are feeling--it's kind of depressing to go "bum bump bum bump" all the time, particularly in the level of music your middle school band must be playing. But, now, I regret it and wish I still played. Flutes are a dime a dozen. Bassoonists--and particularly GOOD bassoonists--are rare, and the more interesting music will come with time.

My suggestion would be, if you don't want to fully give up the bassoon, to take private lessons if you aren't already. Work with your teacher to explore what the bassoon is fully capable of before you make a decision. That doesn't preclude playing the flute as well--you can do both if you want.

Bassonist06, just my curiosity, why are you interested in quitting playing the bassoon?

Zevang

Bassonist06,

I have to whole heartedly agree that while bassoon might be boring at music level you are playing now, it turns in to an AMAZING instrument later. There was a piece I played called The Happy Farmer that has a GREAT bassoon solo in it. (If you can find that piece somewhere you should listen to it.) Not to mention that if you choose to play in quintets later the bassoon also has some awesome parts.

Now, I would never say to someone "don't try flute", but if you are thinking about quitting bassoon, I would recommend giving it a chance. Not that I want you to think playing bassoon is overly easy or you wouldn't have to work as hard, but if you choose to play it on to the college level you would have a higher chance of making district or state bands, as well as have different options for scholarships. Of course with all of that being said the number of scholarships are proportionate to the number of people accepted in to the schools on those instruments, so you will still have to work hard to earn them!

hey

1. can you hear the flute in orchestras and bands, because it is a soft instrument

2. does it play the melody?


the flutr does play the melody and it can be heard. at first it may be hard to get a sound but dont give up!!!