Who Should Play Bassoon? Discussion of challenges
and advantages to playing bassoon by Terry B. Ewell. This is a remake
of BDP#24. BDP #341, www.2reed.net.
[Music: Orefici’s Melodic Study #5]
1. Welcome, this is Terry Ewell and I am going to devote this video to
talking about my favorite instrument—the bassoon. I wish that
everyone had the chance to play this marvelous instrument, but
unfortunately not all are suited for the instrument or the instrument
for them.
2. Now the fact that you are watching this video indicates that your
personality might be well suited to the bassoon. I have noticed over
the years that students who choose the bassoon are usually independent
thinkers, willing to be different, and interested in unusual
challenges. Bassoonists are a bit quirky and generally enjoy the
unusual. If that describes you, then you have found a great instrument.
3. However, an interest in the instrument is just not enough for
compatibility. I want to make sure that you know if the instrument is a
good fit for you. Now, this video is produced for distribution in four
world languages. Sorry, if I don’t adequately or accurately cover
all of the considerations you need in your location or culture for
deciding whether to study bassoon. However, I hope to help you along
with that decision with my following comments. As I see it, there are
two challenges and three advantages to playing the bassoon.
Challenge 1—Finger Length
4. In general, the bassoon requires a larger hand than other
instruments. Let give you the key tests to see if your hand fits the
instruments well. In the left hand cover the third hole (often called
the C hole) and then reach for the speaker keys otherwise known as the
flick keys. You should be able to reach these comfortably.
5. If that reach is uncomfortable there is fortunately a solution that
might be helpful. Some bassoons—particularly student
models—have an extra key to cover the C hole. This helps with the
reach.
6. Now, in the right hand test out your ability to reach the little
finger F# key. This reach is often not a problem particularly if you
play without a crutch or hand rest.
7. In Australia and Europe some younger students are taught first on a
mini bassoon also called a “Tiger Bassoon.” This instrument
can be a first step for children to play the bassoon until their hands
grow bigger.
Challenge 2—Cost
8. The second challenge for the instrument is its cost. Student model
bassoons typically cost ten to fifteen times as much as student
clarinets, four to five times as much as student flutes, and twice as
much as student oboes. You will have to consider carefully how to
obtain a bassoon: whether one is available on loan from a school or
whether one needs to be purchased.
9. I caution you here against the purchase of a cheap bassoon that has
poor intonation and other problems. Starting on a bad instrument is a
disastrous situation for a young student. This will discourage even the
most diligent student. I urge you to compare carefully the bassoon you
are considering purchasing with those produced by the Fox Corporation.
10. The Fox Corporation does not sponsor me, and I have always been
reluctant to promote one bassoon maker over another. But in this case,
there are so many poor, cheap bassoons on the market that I need to
caution you to take the time to make comparisons. The Fox or Renard
bassoons really set the industry standard. Renard is the name used by
the Fox Corporation for their student model bassoons.
11. The cost of instrument is not the only consideration, however. A
bassoon reed will cost about ten times as much as a clarinet reed and
most often more than an oboe reed. This cost must also be factored into
your decision.
12. Well, that said I now want to talk about the many advantages of playing the bassoon.
Advantage 1—2reed.net and losfagotistas.com.ar
13. First of all, I have made it a very important part of my life to
furnish free educational around the world. I am trying to bring down
the cost of education for bassoonists. If you make use of 2reed.net you
can reduce expenses for purchasing music, music instruction, and paying
to practice with accompanists. There are thousands of free materials
and videos on my website. I have created these materials over forty
years. In particular I want to point out that my online curriculum
begins with this video and progresses through every level of bassoon
instruction even to items of interest for graduate students in
universities.
14. For those listening to this video in Spanish, I also want to alert
you to the marvelous website by Los Fagotistas. This site, hosted by
Carlos Arias Sanchez, provides free materials from numerous bassoon
teachers and artists.
Advantage 2—Performing with Dental Braces
15. The second advantage for those with dental braces or dental
hardware and wires. The bassoon embouchure is quite forgiving and does
not place the same pressure on the front teeth as found with brass
instruments or single reed instruments. Dental braces make it
particularly difficult to play the flute, but this is far less on issue
on the bassoon.
Advantage 3—Rarity of the Instrument
16. The last advantage is the rarity of the instrument. This means that
a promising student on the instrument will have more opportunities in
ensembles and gain more performance experience. It is a great
instrument for amateur adults as well. Every woodwind quintet needs as
many bassoonists as flutists, but because there are so fewer
bassoonists there are many more opportunities to play and perform in
groups.
17. Well, I hope that this has been helpful to you. I would be so happy
if you decide to play my favorite instrument. I have enjoyed playing it
since I was eight years old and now fifty-five years later, I am still
excited to get my hands on this wonderful, wonderful instrument, the
bassoon. Bye.
[Music: Orefici’s Melodic Study #5]