 The Bassoon BBoard
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Author: Rallyntando
Date: 2009-11-23 00:34
I'm a trumpet player, wishing I had started Bassoon earlier. Any Advice for me as a start from nothing aspiring Bassoonist? What bassoons are good for beginners, and what should I practice? Etude and excerpt books? Any advice in general? Thanks!
-Russel Allyn
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Author: justme
Date: 2009-11-24 06:19
Since nobody else has answered you.
I 'll give it a shot from the research that I 've been doing on selecting a bassoon...
Both Fox and Moosmann make some excellent student models.
If you can afford it check out the Fox 240 or the Moosmann 100A.
Other Student Fox Models are: Fox Renard Model 41, Fox Renard Model 222, Fox Renard Model 220, Fox Renard Model 240.
Moosmann Student Models are: Moos. 96A, Moos. 98A, Moos. 100A.
There's a Moosmann – Fox Comparison Chart for the Student Models:
http://www.millermarketingco.com/moosmann/pdf/MoosFoxCompareChartStudent2.pdf
This is from all that I 've been reading.
Just Me
http://woodwindforum.ning.com/
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2009-12-04 18:44
First, get an instrument. Ask at the local music store. Be prepared for sticker shock--an inexpensive new student bassoon will run you a minimum of $1700, and bassoons generally are not available for rent. Look into the models justme suggested.
You can always try ebay, where I've seen good horns available for much less. But whatever you do, do not buy an inexpensive Chinese bassoon! I've tried one, and they are complete junk.
Better yet, ask at the local university and talk to the bassoon professor about how to get a horn. Also hunt down bassoon teachers in the area. They may know even better than bassoon professors, because professors tend to only be conversant in advanced bassooning and probably aren't familiar with the needs of a beginner.
Yes, as with all instruments, scales and etudes are where you'll start. You'll need to buy a copy of the Weissenborn bassoon method--this is the bible for all bassoonists, beginner to advanced. But you'll need a teacher--that's your next stop. Once you find a horn, set up lessons with a teacher and start practicing. Be aware, of course, that you'll be learning bass clef and then tenor clef.
Some people can't afford a teacher or think they can learn the instrument themselves. If this is you, then you shouldn't invest in a bassoon. You'll just be wasting your time and money. Bassoon has many tricks to it that you will not learn in a book. And being a brass player, you will need to learn all about reeds, and double reeds at that! Teaching it to yourself is a recipe for becoming a very lousy bassoon player.
Get a horn and get a teacher. There's not much more advice available than that... except to remember that bassoon is an extremely fun instrument to play and well worth the effort!
Post Edited (2009-12-04 23:40)
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Author: Rallyntando
Date: 2010-02-13 05:19
Wonderful! Thanks so much for helping out Jaysne and justme! A really appreciate it. In the time that passed since i asked this question, I've been taking french horn lessons, but I still plan to try for bassoon eventually. I definitely heed your advice.
Thank you again.
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2010-02-25 03:20
Thanks for checking in, and good luck. (BTW, I think you'll find bassoon somewhat easier than French horn!)
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Author: justme
Date: 2010-02-26 08:42
Russel:-,
Thanks for telling us what you've decided.
I think I can understand where you're coming from.
I think trumpet players are even more numerous than clarinet players!
I hope that you do keep up your practice on your trumpet as well, as not to lose your skill. The French Horn is an evil beast to tame but sounds good with the right player and not everybody and his brother plays it, like clarinets and trumpets. I hope that you do well on it and become a great French Horn player.
Speaking of trumpets, I've never really had that much interest in them until recently. I've never disliked them, but just was sort of neutral about them, that is, until someone posted this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4l3Rgq-L1M
I don't know if it was the open acoustics, the song, player, or a combination of factors, but I thought it was beautiful.
I started to watch the youtube videos and found a few trumpets and cornets that I seem to enjoy ( especially the cornets with the big bells like the Bessons).
After reading the trumpet forums when investigating these instruments, I find that you have to put in heavy practice and not miss any days with some of the pros advising that even missing one day your playing suffers greatly!
I tried to put some air through one around 1972, but I didn't realize that you had to "buzz" it like a shofar, LOL.
For these reasons and also the fact I would have to take lessons somewhere, which would be quite in increase on travel ( I would want to learn the proper embouchure as not to ruin myself on woodwinds!) I've delayed my actions.
Also, there are far too many trumpet players as mentioned earlier, but perhaps down the road I may learn to play one of these babies ( I can at least think about it, can't I?)...
Anyway, I wish you all the luck in the world on your new endeavor, and may both of us at some point in time realize our aspirations.
Take Care
Justme
http://woodwindforum.ning.com/
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