Hi, i just got a bassoon from my school and my b-naturals(the one on and 1 step above the staff)are coming out as b-flats and it was already checked for leaks. Do you have any suggestions

thanks

Hmmm......sounds like the key to make the B-flat isn't going back into place like it should. Look to see which pad(s) the B-flat key operates (it's a big pad on the thumb side) and see if goes back into place when you take your finger off the key. The pad could be leaking really badly, or the key might be stuck down. If you have a small mag light flashlight you could get in a dark room, shine the light down the bore of that part of the bassoon, and see if that pad is leaking (light can be seen around the hole). You might also find a million other pads that are leaking, too, when you do this.

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Just because someone said it was checked for leaks doesn't mean it doesn't have any leaks.

It could also be your reed. Check to make sure it doesn't have any cracks or deformities and if the problem still exists, you could mess with the wires or try scraping a little cane off.

If none of that works, try a shorter bocal.

With these symptoms a leak is very unlikely. If it is just the B the most likely cause is that the B hole (The one you close to play A) is partially blocked - try cleaning it out with a pipe cleaner, Q-tip or something else soft.

If it's a B that's sounding a Bb, then it wont be a leak because the B is a hole, and leaks from other keys in that fingering would affect the other notes not just the B. (Just a note - an effective way to check for leaks if you don't have a light - you might need someone to help you though - is so close up all the wholes, and blow down the tube, and feel for the air leaking. Bit fiddly but is possible!)

I wouldn't suggest using a shorter crook either, because that will just throw ALL your tuning out. (However, I was told that you should try and play on the shortest crook possible because that teaches you to play with a loose embouchure)

I also don't think this problem would be to do with the reed - don't go scraping a reed that is probably fine.

...I also don't think the hole is partially blocked either, because if the B hole was blocked then the C would be really flat. And if the A hole was blocked then the B would sound like an A, not a Bb......right? Makes sense to me anyway.

Therefore, I think that the Bb key is probably sticking, or the spring has broken. But I reckon that you'd notice if the spring had gone, because the key would be floppy. And on my instrument the Bb spring is pretty strong so would lift the pad back up sticky or not. But that's just my isntrument.

If it's not that, then I have no idea, sorry!

Ruth

I did try to put what I said carefully & clearly.

The B HOLE is the hole BELOW the lowest hole you close when you play B (ie the lowest one you close when playing A). In other words the hole the sound comes from NOT the hole you close. I know it's a bit confusing.

So in this case try cleaning out the hole which is covered by your middle finger - maybe that would have been clearer to everyone.

Ian

Ooooh, I see, I get what you mean. I'm too used to doing it the other way round because i've never been told otherwise :s

In anycase, as I said before, wouldn't that make the B sound like an A and not a Bb? because the thumb key wouldn't be down. *thinks* unless it's a relly flat B and a really sharp A... is the B (as is sounds a Bb) tune at all?

If it's partially blocked it would flatten the note & make it sound stuffy