Essentials Of Bassoon Technique

An encyclopedic reference work of bassoon fingerings which solves almost every technical problem on the instrument. This volume is used in major orchestras and universities around the world.

Unlock the Mysteries of the Bassoon! Have you ever been intrigued by the enchanting sound of the bassoon? Are you eager to embark on a musical journey that will lead you from a complete novice to a skilled performer? Look no further! "How to Play Bassoon from Scratch" is your ultimate guide to mastering this captivating instrument. Whether you're a total beginner or have some musical experience, this book is tailored to meet you where you are and guide you through every step of your bassoon-playing journey. With clear, concise instructions and insightful tips, you'll learn the fundamentals of bassoon technique, music theory, and performance etiquette. Inside, you'll discover: Essential Techniques: Master the basics of embouchure, finger placement, and breathing techniques to produce beautiful, resonant tones from your bassoon. Step-by-Step Instructions: Follow along with detailed, easy-to-understand exercises and practice routines designed to build your skills gradually. Musical Notation: Learn to read and interpret bassoon sheet music like a pro, unlocking a world of musical possibilities. Troubleshooting Tips: Overcome common challenges and pitfalls with troubleshooting advice and strategies for improving your playing. Performance Tips: Gain confidence in your playing with tips on stage presence, ensemble playing, and overcoming performance anxiety. Resources for Further Learning: Discover additional resources, including recommended repertoire, recordings, and online tutorials to continue your bassoon journey beyond the pages of this book. Written by a seasoned bassoonist and educator, "How to Play Bassoon from Scratch" is the ultimate resource for anyone eager to explore the rich, resonant sound of this unique instrument. Whether you dream of playing in a symphony orchestra, a chamber ensemble, or simply for your own enjoyment, this book will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Don't wait any longer to unleash your musical potential! Grab your copy now and start your journey to becoming a bassoon virtuoso.

This welcome volume encompasses the entire history of the bassoon, from its origins five centuries ago to its place in twenty-first-century music. James Kopp draws on new archival research and many years' experience playing the instrument to provide an up-to-date and lively portrait of today's bassoon and its intriguing predecessors. He discusses the bassoon's makers, its players, its repertory, its myths, and its audiences, all in unprecedented detail. The bassoon was invented in Italy in response to the need for a bass-register double-reed woodwind suitable for processionals and marching. Composers were quick to exploit its agility and unique timbre. Later, during the reign of Louis XIV, the instrument underwent a major redesign, giving voice to its tenor register. In the early 1800s new scientific precepts propelled a wave of invention and design modifications. In the twentieth century, the multiplicity of competing bassoon designs narrowed to a German (or Heckel) type and a French type, the latter now nearly extinct. The author examines the acoustical consequences of these various redesigns. He also offers new coverage of the bassoon's social history, including its roles in the military and church and its global use during the European Colonial period. Separate historical chapters devoted to contrabassoons and smaller bassoons complete the volume [Publisher description].

As the sound-producing mechanism for the bassoon, the reed is a vital component in the sound of the entire instrument. While pre-manufactured reeds are widely available for purchase at music stores, this one-size-fits-all option hardly does justice to the unique needs of the musician and the piece. Many bassoonists, including seasoned professional bassoonist Eric Arbiter, instead choose to craft their own reeds. A nuanced and difficult craft to master, reed-making involves specialized machinery and necessitates special attention to the thickness, and even topography, of the reed itself. When done correctly, however, this process results in a reed that not only produces a more beautiful sound, but also holds up to even the most demanding musical performances. In The Way of Cane, Arbiter demystifies this process for bassoonists of all levels of experience. Drawing from his decades-long experience as both musician and reed-maker, Arbiter provides a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the craft, from the differing sound qualities produced by changing the dimensions of the reed's blades to the changes in the reed's behaviors as it passes through cycles of wetting and drying during production. Small changes in each of these variables, Arbiter explains, contribute to the ultimate goal of producing a bassoonist's ideal sound. With step-by-step instructions, detailed photos that further illuminate the reed-making process, and a companion website featuring the author's own recordings. The Way of Cane emphasizes the importance of the reed to the bassoon's sound, as well as the harmony between reed and musician.

The Teaching of Instrumental Music, Fifth Edition introduces music education majors to basic instrumental pedagogy for the instruments and ensembles commonly found in the elementary and secondary curricula. It focuses on the core competencies required for teacher certification in instrumental music, with the pervasive philosophy to assist teachers as they develop an instrumental music program based on understanding and respecting all types of music. Parts I and II focus on essential issues for a successful instrumental program, presenting first the history and foundations, followed by effective strategies in administrative tasks and classroom teaching. Parts III, IV, and V are devoted to the skills and techniques of woodwind, brass and percussion, and string instruments. In all, The Teaching of Instrumental Music is the complete reference for the beginning instrumental teacher, commonly retained in a student’s professional library for its unique and comprehensive coverage. NEW TO THIS EDITION: Revision and updating of curriculum developments, such as coordinating State Department of Education student learning objectives with the recent Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) New discussion of the NAfME National Standards as they relate to the teaching of instrumental music Revamping of rehearsing instrumental ensembles chapters, including new or expanded sections on programming, choosing quality music, and applying successful rehearsal techniques Updates on references, plus new discussion questions, and websites and internet links A chapter devoted to classroom guitar Updates on the use of technology for teaching and learning music More on healthy performance practice, marching band, and jazz band Online materials located in the eResources section on the Routledge website.