8/13/2019 Bassoon Study Guide #2

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Cody Hammer

Bassoon Study Guide #2

1.  The preparatory octave is the basic octave of the bassoon. The whisper key is used to play at

softer dynamics, and should be used for the preparatory octave notes.

2.  The flexibility factor is a weakness of stability of many notes. For many of these notes you must

adjust the embouchure and air support. You can get a proper pitch with the wrong fingering.

Students will often argue that needing a correct fingering isn’t necessary if the right pitch is

produced. It is good for advanced students to know alternate fingerings, however.

3.  The four methods of tuning a bassoon are: lip and jaw pressure, shape of the oropharyngeal

cavity, the amount of reed in the mouth, and velocity of air.

4.  For three notes on the bassoon, the octave is produced by venting the instrument with the

index finger of the left hand. These notes are called half-hole notes, and they are f#, g, and ab.

5.  The amount of fingertip used effects the notes by providing different graduations of the

aperture that can bring the note in tune and center the note.

6.  The student should use a rolling motion to execute the half-hole technique.

7.  The following rule of thumb is important for consistent and clear articulation of all half-hole

notes: only one venting technique should be used at a time. If the half hole is open, the whisper

key should be closed (depressed). If the whisper key is open it is not necessary to vent with the

half hole as well.

8.  The secondary break is difficult because the upper fingerings don’t need to be vented with the

half-hole, but are vented with the whisper key.

9.  The flicker keys are used to properly slur between registers on the bassoon.

10. Hence there is an actual difference in finger technique between the execution of the two

measures in Example 4.7. There is a difference in technique, because without a flicker key, thetransition between registers is left to chance and may not happen when needed.

11. You use trial and error to decide which flicker key to use for which note.

12. When flicking in actual performance, remember that the secret to success requires the thumb to

leave the whisper key early.

13. The two major factors that affect the production of the lowest notes of the bassoon are 1) the

condition of the instrument, and 2) the type of scrape or trim of the bassoon reed.

14. Bassoon players should learn tenor and treble, as well as bass clef.

15. The only physical considerations for bassoon are if the player finds the instrument extremely

cumbersome to assemble, carry, or hold, as hand size and dexterity. Facial considerations are if

the student has a pronounced under bite and protruding or unusually large teeth, as well as lipsize.

16. The bocal affects the overall pitch level, internal tuning, response, and the tone quality, as well

as range. The #2 bocal is a good number to start out on.