How to Write for Bassoon in 4 Minutes

A big thanks to Jenice Rosen and Yen-Chen Wu for helping with this video!

Make sure to put any questions you might have in the comments! I always try to respond.

Thanks for watching, and don't forget to Subscribe!

[bobboulden]

I don't have perfect pitch but as soon as I heard that first note I knew it was Rite of Spring.

[tarynnwitten]

A wonderful introduction for a composer who doesn't play bassoon. Thank you very much.

[KCookMusic]

Really good video! As a second year college student studying bassoon, everything said was accurate! I wish you mentioned the lackluster dynamic range though, with it being so much smaller than other woodwind instruments

[matiasorozcoezcurra]

When ur done with ur how to write for woodwinds series, could u continue it by inviting other musicians and they say how to write for the instrument?

[jeremyzerbe]

So helpful! I'm a composer and it was helpful differentiating the extended techniques from single reed instruments.

[trueconextionmusic]

I have to say that your video is extremely well done. You left nothing out, and explain clearly. There is so much there is so little.

[lambda]

As someone whos trying to write a section with a bassoon playing the main melody i appreciate this video

[Cazcanhazvideos]

This video series is WONDERFUL. Great work. xxx

[ottogibbs]

Thanks for the video Josh! It’s brilliant as always

[dedede]

as a bassoon player, this is completely accurate!

[clipcity]

I would like to add that holding those low notes is significantly easier when it’s louder. Playing softer is hard in the low register because you have to balance filling with air and also staying soft so after about fourish measures things start to go awry

[yoaveden]

Best timing ever!!! I just finished my composition lesson, ready for bassoon hahah

[lucyyockey]

Many bassoons have keys that allow for expedited fingerings for high (fourth octave) E♭ and E (and sometimes F), even though this isn’t a guarantee, you can rely on these if your player has a professional bassoon. (But like… maybe don’t write that high?😆)

[willmorris]

Playing Pictures at an Exhibition (ravel version) and for some reason Ravel decided to switch from tenor to bass clef as the note was getting higher LOL. IMO everyone has their own guideline of how tenor/bass clef switches should work, but I believe we bassoonists need to be prepared for anything.

[laurajhball]

Now I can write 4 minutes of bassoon music! Oh wait ... that's not what that title means. 🤔😂

[sonen]

Would be awesome to hear some examples of multiphonics on contrabassoon as well!

[mrewan]

I once had semiquaver patterns low B C D C / / / / / / - transcribed from brass band, and similar high C Bb A Bb / / / / / / etc - transcribed from strings. Both cases were someone who looked up the range in a book and forgot to talk to an actual bassoonist!

… and, I tell people "Don't write in tenor clef unless most of the notes are on ledger lines - in tenor clef. We can read a few ledger lines in bass clef quite comfortably." There's a special place in hell for people who write below A in the middle of the tenor staff. Mozart did it, but he's dead now.

[g]

Nice video to see right after a day of band camp.

[enriquesaenzavila]

Pretty good video, man. Can u explain how to cifrate the multifonics?

[joshuagonzalez]

Very instructive video. I'm writing a bassoon & guitar sonate. Where can I find the multiphonics digitation diagram? Thank you so much.