Recorded Performances: Bassoon

Breathing and Posture | Embouchure | Fingerings | Buying an Instrument | Maintaining an Instrument | The Benefits of Performing Chamber Music | Interpretation | Performance Anxiety | Performance and Life | Ornamentation | Writings About Oboe Music | Writings About Bassoon Music |
Oboe Discography | Bassoon Discography |

Also see Teaching for related performance issues.

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Embouchure

Thoughts on the Embouchure: Otto Oromszegi. To the World's Bassoonists 3/3

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The Benefits of Performing Chamber Music

Chamber groups come in many forms: a “garage band,” a string quartet, a voice and piano duo, or a Dixieland brass ensemble, just to name a few. If you have not been a part of a chamber music group, let me encourage you to do so. Here are the advantages you will find in a small music ensemble:

• It is a more intense musical experience than playing in a large ensemble.
• Every player is a soloist.
• You can really hear how your part fits in with other parts.
• Many times the parts are more challenging.
• You get to be involved as a leader since the group usually doesn't have a conductor.
• You choose the pieces to play.

Musicians need listening skills, ensemble abilities, and the aptitude to work with others. All of these skills are developed in a small group.

Why not try out some of the chamber music available on this website with some friends? See the free music on this website.

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Interpretation

Expression by Helen Bledsoe (Flutist)

Musical Expression by Martin Schuring, oboe, Arizona State University.

On Becoming an Artist. Terry B. Ewell, "On Klaus Thunemann and Becoming an `Artist,'" The Double Reed 15/3 (Winter 1992): 67-68. Reprinted in The Double Reed 16/3 (Winter 1993): 58-60.

On Culture and Being an Artist. Terry B. Ewell, "A Reply to Schweitzer: On the Singular Western Musical Culture and Other Misconceptions," The Journal of the International Double Reed Society 24 (1996): 93-94.

Phrasing (videos by Terry B. Ewell)

• Playing On the Wind (2010, BDP #56, 4 and 1/2 minutes)
• Flash | Windows media video | iPod or mpeg4 (mp4) | Transcript
  
• Symmetry, Aesthetics, and Phrasing in Music (2010, BDP #57, 7 minutes)
  • Flash | Windows media video | iPod or mpeg4 (mp4) | Transcript
• Music in Motion (10 min., 2012, BDP #100)
  • Flash (flv)| mp4 | mp4 (large) | Transcript
  • Bibliography on Motion in Music
  • 악에서의동작 (11 min.) flash (flv)| mp4 | mp4 (large) | Transcript
  • 音乐运动 (10 min., 2013, BDP # 100) Flash | mp4 | mp4 大 | 抄 本 transcript

• 中国书画与音乐表演的相似之处。(10 min., 2015, BDP #183) Chinese calligraphy and painting are similar to Art Music performance.

  • Flash | mp4 | mp4 大 | wmv | 抄 本 transcript
• Examples in the Weissenborn Studies (35B, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41,
  43, 47)

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Performance Anxiety

Be aware that the on-going use of beta blockers can be habit forming. We don't recommend beta blockers as a permanent solution for performance anxiety. Beta Blockers try to address an inner problem with a chemical solution. Here is an excellent article that addresses the pros and cons of these medications.

• Beta Blockers And Performance Anxiety In Musicians. A report by the beta blocker study committee of FLUTE: Karla Harby, freelance writer and amateur flutist. Kathrin Kucharski, clinical pharmacist and amateur flutist. Sarah Tuck (committee chair) professional flutist. Julia Vasquez, professional flutist.
  

Further articles on Beta Blockers:

• Terry B. Ewell and Luis Engelke, “Four Scenarios: Legal and Ethical Issues Surrounding the Use of Beta Blockers,” The Double Reed 35/4 (2012): 130-134.
• Luis Engelke and Terry B. Ewell, “The Ethics and Legality of Beta Blockers for Performance Anxiety: What Every Educator Should Know,” College Music Symposium 51(01 October 2011) online edition.

Learn more about Christian meditation.

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Performance and Life

This excellent book will give you insights into performance from a spiritual point of view:

Patrick Kavanaugh, You Are Talented!: Discovering, Perfecting and Using Your Unique Abilities (2002). ISBN: 0800793064

Read more about the inner life of a musician on this site.

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Ornamentation

Ornamentation in Mozart. David Ross, “Ornamentation in the Bassoon Music of Vivaldi and Mozart,” Part II. The Double Reed 9/3 (Winter 1986). These are notes from the Frederick Newman master classes presented at the Miller/Skinner Bassoon Symposium. These articles provide important information for double reed performers of Vivaldi’s and Mozart’s music.

Ornamentation in Vivaldi. David Ross, “Ornamentation in the Bassoon Music of Vivaldi and Mozart,” The Double Reed 9/2 (Fall 1986): 26-31 These are notes from the Frederick Newman master classes presented at the Miller/Skinner Bassoon Symposium. These articles provide important information for double reed performers of Vivaldi’s and Mozart’s music.

Baroque Ornamentation: in Introduction: Rebecca Schalk Nagel. The Journal of the International Double Reed Society No. 16, 1988.

Ornamentation of Baroque Music (videos by Terry B. Ewell)

• Ornamentation 1: Introduction (2010, BDP #58, 8 minutes)
  • Flash Player (shell) | iPod or mpeg4 (mp4) | Transcript
• Ornamentation 2: Comments on a Few Ornaments (2010, BDP #59, 8 1/2 minutes)
  • Flash Player (shell) | iPod or mpeg4 (mp4) | Transcript
  Ornamentation 3: Considering Context (2010, BDP #60, 10 minutes)
  • Flash Player (shell) | iPod or mpeg4 (mp4) Transcript
  Ornamentation 4: Application (2010, BDP #60, 8 minutes)
  • Flash Player (shell) | iPod or mpeg4 (mp4) Transcript
  Ornamentation 5: Practice Example (2010, BDP #61, 16 minutes)
  • Flash Player (shell) | iPod or mpeg4 (mp4) Transcript

Baroque Performance Practice

• Baroque Accompaniments on Piano (2008, BDP #42, 9 minutes 39 seconds)
• RealPlayer | iPod or mpeg4 (mp4) | Windows media video

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