7/22/2019 Bassoon Study Guide #1

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Bassoon Study Guide #1

1.  The bore of the bassoon is conical.

2.  The two most important predecessors of the bassoon are the bass pommer and the dulcan. The

bassoon became a regular component in orchestras around the Baroque era. Three composers

from the Baroque era were Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi.

3.  Major structural changes were begun by Carl Almenrader, joined later by J.A. Heckel. The

standard fingering system of the bassoon is known as the Heckel system.

4.  The Buffet system is the only other fingering system that survived. I will more than likely teach

the Heckle system. Though, it depends if it is a French or German Bassoon.

5.  The five parts of the bassoon are bocal, tenor joint, boot, bass joint, and bell.

6.  To assemble the bassoon, take the boot and find the low E key (pancake key). Make sure this

key is facing you and that the two holes of the bore are on top. On the bottom you will find the

metal cap that protects the U-tube. Take the tenor joint and orient it so the cork or string tenon

is pointed down and the small pad that closes the hole on the bocal is on top. Place the tenor

 joint in the small bore hole of the boot, being careful as you adjust the joint not to bind the

single phalange key that extends from the bottom of the joint. Now line up by the concave curve

of the tenor joint with the curve of the large bore hole in the boot. Take the bass joint and

orient it so the larger end is at the top. Locate the surface area that has no keys. This segment of

the bass joint will fit snugly up against the concave curve in the tenor joint. When the bass joint

is in line with the tenor joint you should see a constellation of keys coming together. Take the

bell and slip it over the large bored hole in the bass joint, being careful not to bind the single

overlapping key. Be careful not to depress the whisper key while inserting the bocal. The bocal

should be adjusted by placing the hand at the arched curve.7.  Because the bocal is fragile and can be easily dented or bent, it is usually not inserted until the

player is seated. When inserting the bocal, be careful not to depress the whisper key.

8.  The bell and bass joint do not require swabbing because they do not receive any moisture.

9.  Always dump the moisture out of the smaller of the two holes in the boot. This side of the boot

is lined with a protective material.

10. There is two common embouchures for bassoon, the smile and whistle. I will most likely teach

the whistle embouchure.

11. The tongue is always used to initiate a sound while playing the bassoon.

12. Two points that should be covered about tonguing on the bassoon are, which part of the tongue

is used and exactly where the tongue touches the reed.13. The three most common errors of tongue placement include: Using the very edge of the tongue,

Tonguing into the opening or into the front edge of the reed, and touching the reed too far ack

on the tongue.

14. Bassoon tone is dependent on other elements such as: breathing, tonguing, embouchure, reed

style, and vibrato.

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15. The two most popular methods of suspension is the neck strap and seat strap. The seat strap is

of course unsuitable for performing or practicing in a standing position. Main advantage of the

seat strap over the neck strap is that it eliminates the substantial weight that the latter suspends

from the neck. The main disadvantage of the seat strap is that it often places the major portion

of the bassoon’s weight on the left hand.

16. The bassoon would be rested on the thigh as to lessen the amount of weight on the left wrist.

17. Both hands should be held in a natural position with the wrists as straight as possible. The right

wrist should be as straight as possible without raising the elbow uncomfortably high. Attention

should be drawn to the placement of the left index finger. It should be arched and placed on the

first hole above the top joint on the fleshy tip of the finger. Young bassoonists with small hands

and fingertips may have difficulty covering second and third holes of the left hand; adjusting the

placement of the fingers with a flatter position will give a larger area to cover the holes.