Bassoon

The bassoon is a large woodwind instrument with a double reed, known for its rich, warm, and mellow tone, often providing the bass voice in orchestras and ensembles.

Physical Characteristics

To play the bassoon, it is important to have even teeth and the ability for the upper lip to cover the upper teeth. Hand size is important to for bassoon players, as the instrument has a larger reach than many other woodwinds and has demanding requirements for the player's thumbs. Students that are double jointed will often experience difficulty with finger dexterity on the bassoon.

Other Considerations

Great bassoonists are usually curious, resourceful, diligent, and flexible. I like to say playing the bassoon is like a science experiment. You have to be willing to try a lot of things and figure out what works - then do it over and over again to see if you can get the same results. You have to be patient enough to keep trying and curious enough to want to learn more even when it's challenging or the bassoon is making odd sounds.