so I just got a bassoon off ebay and am teaching myself to play. So far I've learned pretty much all of the fingerings but I'm wondinering if I'm hitting the notes right. Mostly my concern is with the lowest notes. I'm able to get two notes to come out of the low Bb fingering, one comes very naturally, which is higher, and the other, which is very low and rumbly, is difficult to create, in fact I can't get this low note to come out without hitting the higher one first for a moment. I get the low one by varying the air pressure but I can't really figure out how to do it with any consistency. I have a feeling the low one is correct but I'm not sure as I've had no formal training. So, does anyone know what I'm talking about or should I upload some samples?

It sounds as if there could be a problem with the bassoon. What make of bassoon is it & is it new or used?

If you read previous threads on this forum you will see it recommended that you will progress faster by getting a teacher. Also get the bassoon checked out by a repairer or a player. Even new instruments are delivered with faults.

Where do you live?

Good luck

Ian

I live in nyc, I actually have a spot I got some reeds at that can service the bassoon, I just haven't gotten around to it cause of money. I don't really think anything is wrong with the instrument, but I could be wrong, I think it might just be a problem with my embouchure.

I also don't really like taking lessons, they're too slow and expensive. I usually get frustrated with lessons and quit after a few weeks. The only time I had a good experience with teaching was learning to play trumpet in school, but that was because we had band class every day. Even then, when I came back to the trumpet 7 years later, I re-taught myself everything in lieu of a teacher. I can't really gain anything from an hour long lesson once a week. Especially here, they charge ridiculous amounts of money and I'm living paycheck to paycheck and can;t really afford an extra 50+ bucks a week.

Ok I went off on a little tangent on how I don't like lessons but even if I did take lessons, I would want to know a little something before I went so that the experience wasn't entirely lost.

Anyway, if I post an example will you tell me which note is correct?

What is the lowest note you can reliably get?

Often, when bassoonists have trouble with the very low notes, it is because the index finger left hand is not covering the hole completely. Try to make sure all holes are covered properly, then drop your jaw slightly for those low notes below low D (below the staff). If you have a way to make a video and post it on UTube or some such, perhaps we could try to diagnose things (maybe!)

AS Drew says the problem could be with a finger not quite covering a hole. Other reasons could be:

The Whisper key link form the E plate not adjusted correctly - has the effect of a finger not covering the hole - a highly likely one this.
A pad or pads not seating properly.
The bocal has a split in it.
The low D-C-B keys are not adjusted correctly - those pads should all close simultaneously when you close the B key.
If the joints fit too loosely together you can get leaks which can produce strange effects.

Even if you don't want to shell out on regular lessons I would suggest finding a competent player &/or repairer who can confirm that the instrument is working as it should - there are so many things that can be faulty on a bassoon - this could save you many hours of frustration even if it does cost you a few dollars initially.

I see many instruments which even experienced players say work OK but when I have spent time (sometimes very little) working on them the player is surprised how much better they are to play.

Ian

That's weird I just got a bassoon off on ebay and am teaching myself at least until summer comes, but anyhow I was having problems with the same thing so I asked my band teacher and she said that I was probably pinching to hard. So try losing up your lips, maybe it'll help.

I had the exact same problem and found that the problem was my reeds. I could could get B fine, but Bb would speak an octave higher, even if I tried to slur from one to the other. I played around with the tip opening on the reed and now my notes from low D on down speak like a charm. Just need to be careful not to go overboard because it will easily sacrifice tone and response in the middle to upper register.

What notes are coming out? The lowest you should be able to get is a Bb. If you can reliably get that out you should be fine. You can check this by playing up an octave and comparing the two notes, or finding a nearby piano and matching the pitch. Hope it helps.