Double Reeds Archives - Band Directors Talk Shop

Part 2: Bassoon Pedagogy – Producing The First Sounds

Carly Grace — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 11:37:49 +0000

Be sure to read Part 1: Bassoon Pedagogy – From Day One! Due to the imposing size of the bassoon, having students begin making sounds on the reed alone not only reinforces the skills they will need for tone production, but it allows them to focus on one dimension of bassoon playing at a time. ... Read More about Part 2: Bassoon Pedagogy – Producing The First Sounds

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Part 1: Bassoon Pedagogy – From Day One

Carly Grace — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 15:09:20 +0000

I recently heard a funny joke from one my colleagues at the most recent PMEA conference. “How do you clear out a room full of band directors? You ask them to discuss bassoon fingerings!” As someone who wears both of those hats, I actually thought that was pretty hysterical! However, it does draw attention to ... Read More about Part 1: Bassoon Pedagogy – From Day One

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Bassooner the Better: Tips for Starting Beginner Bassoonists

Carly Grace — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 23:15:15 +0000

It’s no surprise to any band director that when asked to express preference for a beginning instrument, young band students are not typically drawn to the bassoon. Bassoon is a rare, challenging instrument, and students may not know anybody who plays it. At the same time, double reed instruments can be intimidating to band directors. ... Read More about Bassooner the Better: Tips for Starting Beginner Bassoonists

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Selecting Oboists, the Beginner or Transferring to the Oboe

BandDirector — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 21:06:04 +0000

I started oboe in my Junior year of college and have a somewhat different aspect on starting an oboist, having had students come to me as both beginners and those transferring from another instrument. As a way of helping the educator, let me give you some ideas to consider. My personal preference is to start ... Read More about Selecting Oboists, the Beginner or Transferring to the Oboe

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Why Won’t the Bassoon’s Low Notes Come Out?

BandDirector — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 12:49:37 +0000

One of the bassoon’s primary jobs is to play low notes. So, when those notes do not come out, players—students and professionals alike—are apt to respond with frustration and even panic. This article will lead you through the most likely causes behind a bassoon’s low notes not speaking and what you can do to help. ... Read More about Why Won’t the Bassoon’s Low Notes Come Out?

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Best Tips for Teaching Oboe & Bassoon (Collaborative Post)

BandDirector — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 01:16:49 +0000

In our summer survey, we asked Band Directors Talk Shop readers “What are the best tips you know for teaching oboe and bassoon?” With over 300 responses to the survey, we put together these ideas to help you improve your double reed instruction. Thanks so much to all of our readers who took time to fill out the ... Read More about Best Tips for Teaching Oboe & Bassoon (Collaborative Post)

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Beginning Oboe – The First Sound

BandDirector — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 01:14:34 +0000

Before the First Lesson Make sure that you carefully review the first pages of the method book to help reinforce what you show the student about tone production, assembly, posture, basic maintenance, etc. as that will be their guide at home. Some method books now have videos showing step by step how to start and ... Read More about Beginning Oboe – The First Sound

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The Non-Bassoonist’s Guide to Equipment

BandDirector — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 16:09:01 +0000

A common issue that I have observed among many band directors at both middle and high school levels is their reluctance to purchase certain equipment for their bassoonists because of their uncertainty as to what would be the best fit for their students. This includes incredibly vital pieces of equipment, such as: – bocals – ... Read More about The Non-Bassoonist’s Guide to Equipment

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Getting the Most from Your Double Reeds in the Concert Band

BandDirector — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 04:01:51 +0000

Concert bands have a warm, full sound with vast a dynamic range. But fitting the double reed instruments into that sound can present its own unique problems. After a number of years of playing saxophone and clarinet, I switched to the oboe and also learned to double on bassoon. This showed me firsthand the challenge ... Read More about Getting the Most from Your Double Reeds in the Concert Band

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Do Bassoonists Really Need to Use the Resonance Key?

BandDirector — Mon, 16 May 2016 02:14:17 +0000

There is a key on the bassoon called the “resonance key” (depressed by the left hand pinky). This key is supposed to be used for middle G (as well as for high notes), effecting tuning and timbre. It is the most commonly forgotten key in bassoon playing, but it makes a BIG difference. This article ... Read More about Do Bassoonists Really Need to Use the Resonance Key?

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