I just wonder if these are commong things or not, maybe someone could comment.

On my bassoon the A's tend to be a bit sharp, the c#'s a bit stuffy and the low F# is very brassy/bright.

Is this something that's common on many bassoon or just something to do with my bassoon or lack of ability.

Cheers
James

That all sounds very familiar - those notes show these tendencies on most bassoons, even when optimally adjusted - you just have to get a good reed then with the firm breath support & good embouchure you can humour those notes (by small lip & breath adjustments)& reduce the problems.

Ian

Try putting all 3 thumb keys down for your C# (the one in the staff), that is: whisper, C# key, and low D key. That sometimes helps.

F# is a terribly brassy note. Someone may have some magic fingering to try there.

I always use whisper, c#, and low d on my in the staff C#'s. And F#, I've never had problems with it, so I don't know

Thanks for the answers.

I've been trying to use more sideways support on the C# and that seems to help it.

The sharp A's I think are just my bassoon... just have to remember to relax a bit on those.

Similar thing with the F#.. have to take back a bit of volume and it doesn't seem too bad, still it's tricky to
remember it every time when you have other things on your mind.

Back to practice.
Cheers
James

I think A's are sharp on every bassoon... My teachers bassoon has sharp A's, mine does, and I know a girl who plays bassoon with me who has sharp A's XD

Yeh, everyone else is right. Those three notes are dodgy on most bassoons. With the C# and A it's all about breath support (as somebody already said)

I found with the F# though, you can mute it by holding down the low D key and the low Eb key. But it also flattens the note, so you have to keep up the support on it too. It's a v.v.v.v. useful fingering in really exposed but quiet and discreet passages. It's a valuable fingering.

Thanks for the F# tip, Ruth. I'll try that. HATE my F#!