How to Play the Bassoon
Adopting the Correct Posture
Reducing weight on the left hand
As the strap ring on the bassoon is located towards the bottom of the instrument, it is impossible to avoid the weight of the instrument resting on the index finger of the left hand. As a first step to avoid injury to this finger, it is important to adopt the correct posture while playing. Because the bassoon is a heavy instrument, too much of its weight will be borne by the left hand if one slouches forward.
Playing while seated
If playing while seated, it is possible to reduce the burden on the left hand by using a seat strap.
Playing while standing
For playing while standing, the strap ring can be repositioned closer to the center of the instrument by attaching an optional part known as a balance hanger.
Musical Instrument Guide : Bassoon Contents
Structure
- What Kind of Musical Instrument is a Bassoon?
- A Long Tube that can be Separated
- The Bocal and its Various Functions
- Unique Features of the bassoon, and How to Play
- [Experiment1]Comparing the Sound of Tone Holes cut Obliquely and Perpendicular
- [Experiment2]Encasing the Bore in Various Materials
- Bonus Experiment
How to Play
How the Instrument is Made
Choosing an Instrument
Trivia
- An Instrument that is Sensitive to Humidity
- Sounds from water in the U-tube?
- There's a needle in the bocal?!
- Comments by conductors caused popularity to tumble?
- Bassoon classics - Chamber music works
- Bassoon classics - Concertos
- Is the "contra-fagotto" a contrabassoon?
- What is the best tool to file a reed?