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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000024.txt from 2003/03
From: "Isaac Bull" <contrareed@-----.net>
Subj: [DR-L] Playing contrabassoon
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 22:34:40 -0500
Hi - first and foremost (sorry but have to say this - your text colour is a
strain on the eyes ;)
OK got that off my chest.... :)
If you are asking about the importance of playing contra (or for that matte
r any other "auxiliary" instrument (sorry I use this for lack of a better w
ord)...there are great things and there are drawbacks.
I can tell you that my interest in playing bassoon was driven party due to
a great enthusiasm for contra from the word go...however, I was soon to be
put in my place by advice from my teacher that I should focus on being a ba
ssoon player first. This (IMHO) was good advice (although my teacher wasn'
t exactly a fan of the contra)
The reasoning behind this is that (if you are looking for music as a career
) it is unlikely (unless you are Alan Savedoff or Sue Nigro) going to be ab
le to find the repertoire / an orchestra / other opportunities to play ONLY
contrabassoon. Indeed, almost any professional audition for a contrabasso
on position will include both the Mozart concerto and bassoon repertoire (r
are to find a position where bassoon is not included in your job descriptio
n ie either utility, assistant or associate principal - for which most orch
estras would want someone who is a strong bassoon player and confortable pl
aying some high register/solos.
The rough thing about playing contrabassoon is the fact that you have to en
dure at least some periods of time and a lot of repertoire where you do lit
tle or nothing, but be prepared (sometimes at the drop of a hat) to play re
pertoire (on bassoon or contra) that is demanding.
In addition, contrabassoon fingerings are quite different from bassoon and
also vary from instrument to instrument to some degree. The location and n
umber of keys also vary significantly from instrument to instrument, so pla
n on taking time to get used to an instrument (especially if you don't own
one like me).
You also may have to deal with the stereotype that is out there that contra
players are often failed bassoon players (which has little grounds IMHO, b
ut it's still out there)
In addition, though some orchestras own contrabassoons, not all do, so plan
on having some heavy duty financing if necessary.... :)
One of the upsides to playing contrabassoon is that many bassoonists don't
- so if you do and you are in a select group in your area, it may get you e
xtra work that you might not otherwise get.
For me, I enjoy the feel of playing the instrument - being the fundamental
of the winds and brass - the contrabassoon often plays much more of a "mult
itasking" roll in the orchestra (ie with basses, winds and brass) and you a
lso often get doubling which provides variety and can be financially reward
ing :)
To sum up, playing contrabassoon can be dull or tedious at times (learn to
count or sit through long rests) but is most often enjoyable and rewarding,
however the work can also be sparse, particularly as a freelance player.
For example, I am the contrabassoonist for Vancouver Opera and this is my
first season after a 3 year break....(thankfully we are doing R.Strauss Ele
ktra so I have plenty to do :)
I find the contrabassoon to be a somewhat misunderstood instrument. Like I
said you may face some stereotypes and be the butt of some jokes, though mo
re people are fans of the contrabassoon (whether they will get the courage
to play it is another story) than not.
In my opinion if you are good at both, you could potentially open a some do
ors for yourself. Sticking with bassoon is probably a good choice for most
people though (ie don't give up the bassoon to play contra - it will give
you more opportunities).
If you are an amateur, whether you play in an orchestra or wind ensemble, y
ou will likely find conductors from far and wide endeared to you very easil
y if you are any good.
There are some good thoughts in the book "the Contrabassoon" by Cornelia Bi
ggers that are worth reading on this subject.
Just my rambling thoughts,
Best wishes,
Isaac Bull,
Bassoon/Contrabassoon
Vancouver (BC) Opera and Freelance
----- Original Message -----
From: EnglandWLa15@-----.com
To: doublereed-l@-----.edu
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 8:05 AM
Subject: [DR-L] [DR-L]Personal Opinion Question
Is it better to be just this amazing amazing amazing bassoon player extro
rdanaire, or to be an exceptional bassoon player who also plays Contra. I m
ean I know you want to be amazing at both, but which do you think the music
world finds most valueble?
