I`m a guy. I`m second chair in my school band of two bassoonist. The first chair player is a girl, and all the other school aged bassoonsist I have played with or heard play have been girls(two of which were quite exceptional), with the exception of one guy(who was quite lacking in ability). I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or opinions about who is better, males or females? It`s not like I`m bad, I think I`m very good. But I have never heard of or seen a female pro bassoonist.

I don`t think talent depends on your gender...
It may just be a coincidence that the mojority of Bassoonists in your area are grrls. Bassoon is one of the most difficult but in the end - enjoyable instruments of the orchestra. Generally I feel grrls are more picky n` demanding at perfection - perhaps a factor as to why you met exceptional female bassoonists but sloppy males. I`ve noticed female bassoonists tend prod n` prod until that certain high A is in tune, or until they finally find a way to work around the fact that they`re hands are sometimes too small to use the right hand rest.

But then again - like I said; it could just all be coincidence... I`m female but tend to see more male - especially at professional levels. I have never seen a professional female ORCHESTRA bassoonist. (I have seen professional non-orchestra.)

I`m a cello player but anyway, since full grown men have bigger lungs than full grown womens smaller lungs, then can men blow harder and play longer when it comes to Band instruments similar to a Bassoon?

I also am a cellist, and all the cellists in my county`s orchestra (there is about 14 of us) are female, apart from me and another cellist. also, all but one of the brass section are male (there are about 14 of them too). I think it may just be coincidence, but has anyone else noticed that in their orchestras? Also, to keep with the starting topic question... the only bassoonist in my county`s orchestra is female! also, my friend a bassoonist, and she is female! i have met lots of female bassoonists, and only HEARD of a male bassoonist because they are a friend of my female bassoonist friend.

In the orchestra that I as in, there was about 25 students and 6 guys.

I play the bassoon and all of the bassoonists in the band i`m in are female, there are currently two of us, but there were 8. I don`t think ability has anything to do with gender at all. It all comes down to how hard you work and how much natural talent you have. You can work till ur blue in the face but if there is no natural talent you will never succeed. I have seen female professional bassoonists in orchestras but i do agree they are rare. Maybe it is because of a wish to conquer one thing and then start another. For example, i am about to do my grade 8 bassoon and i really want to learn the oboe, so when i have done the exam i may take it up and then who knows i might become a professional oboist.

Wow!Cool!

professional female bassoonist. hmm. judy leclair is pricipal bassoonist in the new york city NY orchestra. i think for sometime. but i`ve mostly seen male bassoonits. I WANT A BASSOON SO BADLY. I WANNA START TO LEARN IT. I HAVE SO MUCH TIME IN THE SUMMER BUT MY MOM WON`T LET ME! LOL. there is no way u can help, but i just wanted to let it out lol.

Guys.All the way.

The principal bassoonist of the New York Philharmonic is a woman. Her name is Judith Leclair.

Jeff

im a female and im the only one in my band and theres only 3 in the county who play bassoon

Judith is indeed the principal in the Phil, and she`s also my bassoon teacher. She`s a goddess...let us not forget also Kim Walker, one of the most famous bassoon soloists out there today, and Andrea Marzon, another fabulous soloist. They`re out there, girls!

Since starting this discussion I have since seen a number of female pro bassoonist. I have also beat the two ladies in my High School Band for district honor band first chair.

I am a female bassoonist too and i am 13 and i am also first chair over two guys I have only been playing for two or three years and i used to play clarinet, i like my bassoon better!

I haven`t had the honor of playing in the all state band, but in the 5 state bands and 2 state orchestras, there are 4 girls (out of 50), so it`s not necesarrily a female inclination.