Your First Bassoon Lesson!

In this video, I walk you through all the basics that I would in our first bassoon lesson together.

00:00 Intro
01:13 Equipment
09:16 How to Put the Bassoon Together
12:15 How to Form the Bassoon Embouchure
13:55 How to Tongue on the Bassoon
15:11 Hand Position
17:49 First Notes/Fingerings
21:10 Play Your First Song!
23:04 How to Put the Bassoon Away
27:14 My Gift to You!

🙎🏼‍♀️ About Natalie:

Dr. Natalie Law is an active bassoonist and educator based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As an orchestral musician, she has most recently performed with the the Lansing Symphony, the Grand Rapids Symphony, and West Michigan Symphony. Natalie is a founding member of the Lansing-based woodwind quintet, Pure Winds, which was recently named a finalist for The American Prize and released an album under the Orpheus Classical music label. She has toured the United States as a performing artist and clinician at numerous institutions and conferences such as the Midwest Clinic and the International Double Reed Society Conference. Natalie received her DMA from Michigan State University, where she also obtained her Master's degree in bassoon performance. She completed her Bachelor's degrees in both bassoon performance and music education at the University of Montana. Her primary teachers have included Michael Kroth, Dorian Antipa, Elizabeth Crawford, and Jennifer Cavanaugh.

Natalie is passionate about teaching bassoonists. Having grown up in a rural area without a bassoon teacher for hundreds of miles, she understands the need for high quality and accessible online resources. That's why she founded and created Building a Bassoonist: to help students feel confident, successful, and enjoy learning this unique instrument!

Some of the links above are affiliate, thank you for all your support!

[isaacutie]

i'm currently a viola player but i just have this deep (not so) hidden love of the bassoon and i really want to play it one day. i'm kind of scared of making the first move but this video was so insightful so thank you so much!

[anthony-udto]

I want to learn bassoon so bad. I already know how to play bass clarinet, bari sax, and tuba. Bassoon and bass trombone are the only lows I need to learn.

[roysheaks]

I am thinking about buying a bassoon, and this video just makes me want one even more. When I was in high school, I was playing clarinet and bass clarinet. Since I am retired and 67, I may be considered to be a late bloomer, but I’ve always loved the sound of the bassoon. Your lessons are easy for me to understand, and your pace is good. At the moment, my musical instrument collection is two clarinets, Selmer and Signet, a 3/4 scale Martin six-string guitar, and a Fender Precision Bass guitar. Thanks for the video!

[carldacat]

you're rad in so many ways! thank you for being awesome and sharing your knowledge and talent!

[thedrumist]

I don't even play any woodwind instruments, I was a percussionist growing up then switched to guitar. But there something soothing about your teaching style. I love people who are passionate for what they do, and you clearly are. Keep up the good content, subbed.

[ray-piano]

Hi and well done for a great video.
I want to solve my continuo issue. We play recorder sonatas and I want to bring in the bass part. Cello seems a bit unapproachable for us as we are wind players and singers. Is bassoon a good choice for the bass part of these 17th and 18th century alto recorder sonatas? I wonder how we can best get started? Where to buy a 2nd hand bassoon at a good price? Thanks if you can advise.

[HermannLongkumer]

as a brass player this was very helpful, I'm glad I stumbled upon it!

[georgethomson]

I am starting the bassoon from scratch. I find the videos helpful for learning bassoon nomenclature and other basic particulars. There is much information to digest. Thank you.

[porciwall]

I'm completely new to instruments in general, but I thought I should try and work the bassoon- it sounds so incredibly beautiful and I want to at least give it a try

[LizaBee]

I have never played the bassoon and I am switching from sax. I was just wondering if you could maybe make a video or explain, how should I practice?

[aulysses]

Why should there be no knots in the swab?

[HockeyBoyIsTaken]

dont forget when your playing hot cross buns to keep the air in a steady stream! so you dont forget i will show up tonight and teach you (im batman)

[Cristiangaming-xi]

I want to play basson so bad that i was imagining me playing it for band and but its hard but i wii do it

[MrRAYMON]

I am blind and I’ve never felt a bassoon before.

[paigelapschies]

Hello! I am struggling with my leg bumping into the bottom keys and making my low notes crack horribly. I bought a chest harness to mitigate the issue for now. I'm wondering if you tips about how to sit with and hold the bassoon. My thighs are large and in charge lmao 😂

[yabruf]

Thanks for the great content, I'm looking forward to watching all your videos.

I just picked up my bassoon rental today. I have never played a woodwind instrument So I am new to all of this. But I Like the sound of the bassoon and I am looking forward to jumping right in!