Top 10 Tips for Beginner Bassoon Players

In this video, I talk about my top 10 tips when starting the bassoon; One of my most requested videos and surely it's full of useful knowledge that'll help you with your bassoon journey.

Chapters:
Tip 1 0:38
Tip 2 2:28
Tip 3 4:55
Mini-Rant 7:13
Tip 4 8:42
Tip 5 10:11
Tip 6 12:17
Tip 7 14:42
Tip 8 15:47
Tip 9 17:24
Tip 10 19:16

The background piece is Bassoon Concerto in E Minor RV 484 by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by me!

#bassoon #bassoonist #beginner #band #orchestra #music #classicalmusic #bandmemes #orchestramemes #fagott #fagotto #practice #doublereed #funny #howto

[nercohen]

I played in high school orchestra and had to return my instrument when I graduated. In 1981, It was a Linton, composite, shiny black - I loved that bassoon. I've always wanted to have one again. Forty years later, in 2021, I found a pristine Linton, made in 1973 according to the serial number, for I told the seller that it was worth so much more, but she insisted she was happy with the price. And she was genuinely pleased that it was going to be well loved. Picking it up feels like hugging an old friend. I found an amazing teacher. Jack Pena, principal bassoonist with LPO here in New Orleans. Sadly he moved to be principal at the Phoenix Philharmonic. At the start of my first lesson, he put his bocal into my "plastic" instrument, then made it sound like a $50, 000 Heckel!! Knowing that my very own bassoon is capable of producing such authentic sound has made me SO GRATEFUL to be one of the few lucky humans who gets to have one. Loved your Video!! Subscribing!!

[guadalupemartinez-hgzf]

I played in the clarinet but my band Director switch me to the bassoon I’ve only been playing for two months and I really needed tips thx❤❤❤

[robert]

thanks for great video mr funny bassoon man !!!!

1. get teacher, regardless of quality, online if necessary
2. good reed (handmade)
3. proper reed case, soaking device (soak reeds always)
4. bassoon expensive
5. clean mouth before playing, swab wing/boot, blow bocal/reed
6. diagonal seat strap (???), angle bocal downwards
7. embouchure; say 'o' w/ overbite, roll in lips, close corners, embouchure is very flexible
8. use air (lots)
9. use slightly below back of tongue on bottom of reed (bounce off reed)
10. patience (bassoon is weird)

[lisamilam]

Very interesting. Great tips. Will watch again

[hrafnm]

I've played for 14 years but decided to watch anyways lol. I need to try the diagonal seat strap what the hell

[ViZ_FFA]

Had the unfortunate series of 4 Band Directors in school, but the silver lining is that TWO of them were Bassoon players. Only 10 years later did I realize the ridiculous odds!

[Jwellsuhhuh]

ok but saliva does not actually break down cane. the main reason for not using saliva is because you cant wet the inside of the reed. This is why single reed players can just wet it in their mouth.

[ramirorodriguez]

Hi Dany! I'm writing to you from Argentina. I love the sound of the bassoon and I want to learn how to play it. I'm currently in my first year of viola at the conservatory in my city, but the bassoon has always caught my attention. While watching your videos, I had a question. I have a class 3 bite; I think in English it's called "underbite" or something like that. Have you had students with that type of jaw? Is it a problem?

[AidanCrisler]

for the tips of getting a teacher and getting a hand made reed are definitely so important because before i got a teacher the only fingering charts i had were from the internet so i ended up having to relearn a lot of fingerings, and when the only reed i had was a manufactured one it was so flat that i got a lot of bad habits trying to keep my pitch up 💀

[NathanPetrie-ys]

HI DOES THE MAPLE BASSOON SOUND DIFFERENT THAT THE OTHER ONE LIKE IDK HOW TO EXPLAIN BUT ARE THE SOUNDS DIFFERENT?

[goldensub]

Im switching to bassoon my junior year of highschool. There's gonna be a lot of catching up to do💀

[Hungggggrrryyyyburrrrggeer]

I usually use jones reeds, but now I’ll try to avoid it thanks

[annafowler]

Hey I’ve been playing for a year now and I’m just wondering how I can hold my breath longer because if I just hold a note I can usually last 4 measures but with tounging and different notes I usually last around 2 to three measures so can I please have some help on breathing?

[gexsua]

I'm the only one in my town that plays it professionally 😢