I know that a lot of these will have already been answered, but I don't have the time to look them all up! Thanks!

1) Why does my left hand hurt so much after half an hour of playing? How can I fix this?

2) When I get to the low notes (E and below), everyone says it sound like there are two notes playing and it sounds like a fog horn (lol), how can I fix this?

3) Would you recommend a metal hook seat strap or a cloth cup strap? Do these affect the tone?

4) How do you know when a reed shouldn't be used anymore?

5) Why do some of my reeds float, and others sink?

6) My parents say that the tone of my bassoon isn't good because the sound "cracks", how can I fix this?

7) Are Renard bassoons (model 41) appropriate for middle schools players? My teacher thinks my tone isn't very good because of the bassoon i'm using.

8) When I watch "professional" bassoonists, I feel as if a lot of them "puff" their cheeks, should bassoonists do that?

9) How much of the reed should I take in? My teacher says "almost" all of it, but I can't hit high notes when I do that.

10) Is transitioning from a student model to an intermediate/professional level bassoon difficult?

Thanks so much!!

1) Why does my left hand hurt so much after half an hour of playing? How can I fix this?


This is usual for a beginner - just play for a short time & gradually increase. Ask your teacher to check you are holding it correctly.

2) When I get to the low notes (E and below), everyone says it sound like there are two notes playing and it sounds like a fog horn (lol), how can I fix this?

Could be the bassoon needs attention; you maybe need a new reed; you are not playing correctly. Ask your teacher.

3) Would you recommend a metal hook seat strap or a cloth cup strap? Do these affect the tone?

No difference in sound.

4) How do you know when a reed shouldn't be used anymore?

When it doesn't work properly. Ask your teacher.

5) Why do some of my reeds float, and others sink?

Don't know.

6) My parents say that the tone of my bassoon isn't good because the sound "cracks", how can I fix this?

See above possibilities. Ask your teacher.


7) Are Renard bassoons (model 41) appropriate for middle schools players? My teacher thinks my tone isn't very good because of the bassoon i'm using.

Yes, eminently suitable. Maybe the bassoon needs checking out by a technician. Maybe your teacher doen't know what he/she is talking about.

8) When I watch "professional" bassoonists, I feel as if a lot of them "puff" their cheeks, should bassoonists do that?

Get advice from your teacher.

9) How much of the reed should I take in? My teacher says "almost" all of it, but I can't hit high notes when I do that.

Mmmmm! This is the sort of thing you need to sort out with your teacher.

10) Is transitioning from a student model to an intermediate/profes
sional level bassoon difficult?

It shouldn't be although any change of instrument will take time to get used to, & might need a change oe reed style.

There are so many possibilities for playing difficulties - this is one of the uses of a teacher. I appreciate that a lot of them are not bassoon specialists which can make life difficult.

Good luck.

Hey! Just a follow up... I have been playing the bassoon for about a year, practicing about half an hour a day. I'm not sure that I would be considered a "beginner" because of the amount of time I spend working on it.

Yes, unfortunately you are still considered a "beginner" after a year of playing, even if you have been practicing every day. This is the bad part about trying to learn bassoon, one of the more difficult instruments in the orchestra.

The left hand hurting thing, though, this might be due to the way you are supporting the horn while playing. If you use a neck strap, try switching to a seat strap. If you already use a seat strap, make sure you are not putting the strap too far back on the seat. It should lie across the front portion of the seat. You will see when you try this that the weight immediately comes off your left hand a bit and the horn is more upright. Experiment with different positions on the seat strap and you might find one that helps.
Good luck!

I know that a lot of these will have already been answered, but I don't have the time to look them all up! Thanks!

1) Why does my left hand hurt so much after half an hour of playing? How can I fix this?
Make sure that you are not straining with the hand as you are playing. Consciously relax it every few seconds until it becomes second nature. Pain is caused by stress or bad positioning, either way, it can and should be fixed.

2) When I get to the low notes (E and below), everyone says it sound like there are two notes playing and it sounds like a fog horn (lol), how can I fix this?
If it happens only on your bassoon, take it to a repairman. If it happens on every bassoon you play, it is your problem. It sound to me like the horn is leaking.


3) Would you recommend a metal hook seat strap or a cloth cup strap? Do these affect the tone?

Makes no difference. I like a cup because you can take the bassoon out and put it in a stand in seconds, then be ready to play just as quickly.

4) How do you know when a reed shouldn't be used anymore?
If it is dead or difficult to play, it's done. Personally, I notice that mine are going when my forked e flat starts to go sharp.

5) Why do some of my reeds float, and others sink?
They usually float when they are dry, then as the become more waterlogged, they sink.

6) My parents say that the tone of my bassoon isn't good because the sound "cracks", how can I fix this?
Technique. You must practice to overcome cracking, and simply learn to play better. It takes time, but it WILL happen.
7) Are Renard bassoons (model 41) appropriate for middle schools players? My teacher thinks my tone isn't very good because of the bassoon i'm using.
I wonder if your teacher knows what he or she is talking about. Renards are EXCELLENT student bassoons, and I have seen more than one professional happily using them. If there is a problem with your tone and the bassoon is at fault, then it needs a repairman, not a replacement.

8) When I watch "professional" bassoonists, I feel as if a lot of them "puff" their cheeks, should bassoonists do that?
Some do, some don't. I don't know any who do, but I have seen many others who do. Personally, I think it is easier to control your embouchure if you do not puff.

9) How much of the reed should I take in? My teacher says "almost" all of it, but I can't hit high notes when I do that.
Depends on the note and the reed. Low notes are usually better when the reed is out, then you move in a bit, and when you are up in the stratosphere (D4) It has to be almost all the way in with a LOT of pressure. As you practice you will learn, and you will see that reed positioning depends on many factors.

10) Is transitioning from a student model to an intermediate/professional level bassoon difficult?
It depends on how bad the student instrument was. If you have a good student bassoon (and you do) transitioning is not all that difficult. If you go to a Fox, it should be very very easy. However, if you learned a lot of bad habits on your student horn (as I did) you are in for a very special version of hell.

Thanks so much!!

anytime.