Sixth Bassoon Lesson, Part 2

Use of flick or speaker keys. Studies by A Tune a Day, Rubank, and Paine. By Terry B. Ewell. BDP#194. www.2reed.net/bdp.

Let’s start by looking at the new fingerings in this lesson.

F2 (Low F), Bb2 (Bb below open F), Bb3 (Bb above open F) and C4.

Bb2

I highly recommend the materials created by Professor Kristen Wolfe Jensen on the website “Music and the Bassoon” http://www.musicandthebassoon.org. She has supplied a website with studies, suggested fingerings, sound files, and helpful videos. To support the materials in this lesson I suggest you look at videos and materials in units 20 and 25 on flicking.

Now, let’s explore some more studies on flicking and other materials that expand your range.

Now, let’s take a look at Rubank lesson 6, number 5. I picked the third line because there are several flicked notes in a row. When you have several flicked notes in a row, you don’t have to flick them individually, particularly if it is very fast. You can hold down the C speaker key.

Let me do this first for you with each note flicked.

Rubank Lesson 6, #5

Here it is with the C speaker key held down for flicked notes that are adjacent to each other.

Rubank Lesson 6, #5 Held Flick Key

This technique works very well, particularly for rapid notes.

Let’s go on to “A Tune a Day” lesson 15, number 7. This etude I will also just depress the C key for the first three measures instead of flicking each note separately.

A Tune a Day, Lesson 15, #7

Now, under the French Folk Song and many of the other melodies contained in A Tune a Day you will see some directions: “Think Count 1 2 3” or whatever numbers are given. Now when I play I don’t think of numbers, rather, I hear pulses. I think this is a more successful way to play. Sometimes it is confusing to try to get the numbers in sequence while you are playing. The important thing, however, is that you are hearing the beats.

This next study, by Paine Etude number 14, introduces low F or F2. I will play the last line for you.

Paine Etude 14

Make sure that you hold of the notes to full value, including the last whole note. That should be held for four full counts. Thank you, bye.