Bassoonist Problems

Being a bassoonist is tough! We feel the same way. Hopefully we can help you out a little with the content of this here blog.

[namiharinezumi]

1178 ファゴット bassoon

[bassoonistproblems]

What do you want to see from Bassoonist Problems?

Sorry I've been MIA. I graduated from school over a year ago now and I haven't really been super active with bassoon. I play in my city's community band and I teach bassoon lessons, but other than that, in not super active on bassoon.

I've been in a depressive slump since graduating and very unmotivated. Once this semester is over I am back to being without a bassoon (which sucks) and I'm trying to find a good model that's affordable. If anyone knows of anything and wants to send it my way, please do. I'd be super grateful.

Anyway, I may turn this blog into something still bassoon related but I'm not sure what. If any of y'all still follow me and are active, let me know what you want to see from me. I'd gladly take suggestions.

Thanks for the follows and support even though I've disappeared.

[bassoonistproblems]

in orchestra:

bassoonist: *squeaks almost all the notes in their solo*

conductor: *stops conducting*

conductor: ok bassoon, what is the problem???

bassoonist: oh yeah sorry my reed is dying

conductor: oh yeah i get it

conductor: after hearing that solo

conductor: part of me is dying too

[bassoonistproblems]

Finally found the plaque I lost. It mysteriously showed up today after weeks of being MIA.

[katthuckaby]

After like 2 weeks, I finally got 3/5 reeds to my lesson kid. I sold her one of my favorite reeds… RIP me.

[katthuckaby]

I’ve literally spent all day watching Breaking Bad and working on reeds. I even passed up an opportunity to go bowling so I could stay at home and continue making reeds.

[oboesapien]

Probably the most haunting bassoon solo out there.

[bassoonistproblems]

Life Update.

I do apologize for the lack of content lately. I started my student teaching on August 1st and have been pretty swamped with that. I've got another full week of that before school starts on the 22nd. I am doing my best to continue making reeds for not only myself, but for my two (that's right, two!) students that I'll be teaching this semester (and the next hopefully since I'll still be here). I haven't had much time to practice after my recital ended, but I need to make time. I've got All-State etudes to teach. It is currently 12:06 am and as I just got back into town a few hours ago from a leadership workshop with the band I'm teaching this semester, I'm pooped. Bed time for me. I hope to keep y'all updated on how my semester goes. Let me know what content you want to see and I'll work on making it.

[katthuckaby]

Okay, it’s actually official… I just never got the email notification.

[bassoonistproblems]

In case you don't follow my main blog. I got my official student teaching assignment today!

[bassoonistproblems]

What are some good etudes (other than Weissenborn) for an advanced highschool player? I've worked through a lot of music and need something fresh and new.

I'd recommend the Milde Concert Studies for bassoon. Texas tends to have their All-State etudes from this book and while I was taking lessons in college we worked our way through it. I find them to be challenging and should be good if you've worked through the Weissenborn.

[eloqucnt]

bassoon appreciation post || happy IDRS 2016!

c.c. || 6.30.16

[bassoonistproblems]

hi I'm going to start learning bassoon very soon and I was wondering about reed soaking??? How long would you soak a brand new reed versus one you have been playing on for a while??

It all depends on where you live, really. But I'd say about 5 to 10 minutes for a new reed in like room temperature water. Cold water, in my opinion, is the worst thing you could soak a reed in. If you use hot water (some of the double reed players in my university studio like to use boiling water and soak for a few minutes) soak for about 3 to 5 minutes. For older reeds, five minutes or so should be fine. I typically just let my reeds soak fully (from end to end) in a little Tupperware cup on my way to band, rehearsal, lessons, etc. I live in a dryer climate and soaking for about 5 to 10 minutes works well enough. I tend to soak it periodically through rehearsals because it does tend to dry out with a lot of sitting. But if you live in a more humid climate, you won't need to soak it as long. That being said, always always ALWAYS make sure you let your reeds dry out completely before putting them away. Moldy reeds are sad reeds and have a high potential to make you sick. I tend to let my reeds sit on a drying rack for a good bit before putting them in my reed case, if I can. I hope all of this helps and if you have any other questions, please let me know and I'll be happy to assist further.

[bassoonistproblems]

I don't know if that helped... Ahh... embouchure is really important - so explaining it and stuff would be really helpful and then how it changes slightly when moving to low registers and high registers. Little tricks to help make bassoon easier too are nice, like the E flat "resonant key" and how it can raise the pitch of flat high notes. Tuning on bassoon, I know I struggle so much with it. Hope I helped? he person I tutored was very eager to learn, so I guessmake them excited, don't overwork

Definitely! I think what makes me the most nervous about teaching someone so young is that I don't have much prior knowledge to base things off of. Like with the college students I've taught, they've had experience with other instruments, so it's easier for me to work with. But I definitely agree that keeping her excited about playing is the main key here. Thank you for the tips!

[bassoonistproblems]

Hey guys! So I just got asked to teach an incoming 6th grader who wants to get a head start on bassoon before school starts in August. I've never taught anyone outside of the college students in woodwinds class at my university. Do any of you have any experience teaching beginners and have any advice you'd like to share? I'm trying to put together a good starting place for her. It's been a while since I've had to really sit down and go over the basics. If you're new to bassoon, what helped you when you were starting? What would you suggest starting with?

[bassoonistproblems]

When your bassoon is as tall as you are and you can put your cheek on top of it…

[bassoonistproblems]

This packet was made for my senior level music education class this spring. I hope it helps someone.

For the Anon that was asking me about any tips regarding playing the bassoon. I hope this packet helps. It doesn’t have everything you need to know about bassoon, and the first few pages pertain to teachers, but I do hope that this helps. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.

[bassoonistproblems]

Thank you so much! I'm not comfortable giving my email out, so could you please just post the link?

Not a problem! Give me a little bit to get the file uploaded and then posted on the page. It should definitely be up within an hour.