5 Reasons You Should Play Bassoon

Are you thinking about playing bassoon but aren't familiar with how it sounds and what it's like to play? Learn about the characteristics of the bassoon and all the things that make it a unique and fun instrument!
🚀 Are you a beginner bassoonist who could use some help? Check out my online course, Bassoon Jumpstart, which is the ultimate beginner method. It starts from Day 1, and by the end you'll be playing full length songs and major scales. Learn about the fundamentals, fingerings, getting a beautiful sound, and more ➡️ building-a-bassoonist.teachab...
00:00 Intro/Bassoon Sound
01:01 Range
01:46 Characteristics
02:25 Solos
03:18 Role in Music
03:58 Uniqueness
04:15 Start Playing Bassoon
🎺 Are you switching to the bassoon from another instrument? Check out my KZbin playlist with videos teaching you how to switch from the trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, and flute: / 1m0pt1m15t1c
🎶 Interested in taking lessons or purchasing bassoon reeds? Go here ➡️ www.buildingabassoonist.com/
About Natalie:
Natalie Law is an active bassoonist and educator based in Lansing, Michigan. As an orchestral musician, she has most recently performed with the the Lansing Symphony, the Grand Rapids Symphony, and West Michigan Symphony. Natalie is a founding member of the Lansing-based woodwind quintet, Pure Winds, which was recently named a finalist for The American Prize and will soon be releasing an album under the Orpheus Classical music label. She has toured the United States as a performing artist and clinician at numerous institutions and conferences such as the Midwest Clinic and the International Double Reed Society Conference. Natalie is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Musical Arts at Michigan State University, where she also obtained her Master's degree in bassoon performance. She completed her Bachelor's degrees in both bassoon performance and music education at the University of Montana. Her primary teachers have included Michael Kroth, Dorian Antipa, Elizabeth Crawford, and Jennifer Cavanaugh.
Natalie is passionate about teaching bassoonists. Having grown up in a rural area without a bassoon teacher for hundreds of miles, she understands the need for high quality and accessible online resources. That's why she founded and created Building a Bassoonist: to help students feel confident, successful, and enjoy learning this unique instrument!
Theme music by Spencer Arias
www.spencerarias.com
/ sariasphs
"Firebird" and "Pulcinella" excerpts were recorded at Michigan State University College of Music.

[@CrowJoestar]

The bassoon has always stood out to me, I love how it looks and it’s sheer size. I love how it sounds (I’m biased towards my low reeds). I bought reeds and a reed case and they should arrive this week, im super excited! I’m also interested in other low reeds like the bass clarinet.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

I love low reeds too (a bit biased here) - check out the contra bassoon if you haven’t already!

[@CrowJoestar]

@@BuildingaBassoonist Oh I’ve definitely heard of that and I love it! The big vibrations and juicy low notes are amazing.

[@madelinewilks2535]

A Queen. Absolute Queen.

[@mr.mountaindew3971]

Joined because they needed me, Stayed because of the power I feel as the only instrument in my section

[@xRandom-i8q]

I feel ya brother

[@crystalheart9]

I've always been curious about the bassoon. I've only seen the bassoon played in an orchestra and wasn't sure what it sounded like. Also the look of it is so unusual. Thanks for this video so I could hear what a bassoon sounds like. It sounds very mysterious to me.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Awesome! Yes you don’t often hear bassoon as easily in the orchestra as other instruments unless there is a solo so it can be hard to understand what it sounds like for sure. Thanks for your comment!

[@crystalheart9]

@@BuildingaBassoonistWelcome and I enjoyed your video very much. I don't play any instruments but I do like to learn about them.

[@trainliker100]

You also see them sometimes in concert bands and, of course, woodwind quintets and such.

[@crystalheart9]

@@trainliker100 Thank you :)

[@annastrupiechowska7075]

Girl, u are amazing! That's soooo great that you are making videos also to beginners! That's very important, in my opinion 💗💗 GOOD JOB

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Thank you💕

[@trainliker100]

Fun trivia: The bassoon is the only instrument in any of the orchestral sections that requires all 10 fingers to operate. (Well, that is also true for some, not all, bass clarinets. Also, the piano is not traditionally in one of the orchestral sections which are strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Although some try to put the piano in with the "strings" and some with the "percussion". Very little orchestral classical music has a piano part outside of concertos.)

[@MarkSavant]

Keep up the great work! You're on the right track!

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Thanks Mark!

[@maryjaneburgess489]

I played bassoon in Jr and High school. I was playing clarinet when my band director picked me to play bassoon. I love it. My oldest son played also! ❤️

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Love it!

[@MrGilliardMusicToo]

:02 mark: The answer is simple. The bassoon is an awesome instrument. Subscribed. Signed - A Saxophonist who doesn't practice Bassoon enough.

[@CaesiumAKAPianoslam]

I am a bassoonist in the band and YAY bassoon is being appreciated

[@orangemania531]

Don’t get used to it

[@orangemania531]

Us bassoonists live a sad life when it comes to classical repertoire

[@CaesiumAKAPianoslam]

@@orangemania531 true... :(

[@nyancs7098]

in concert band, bassoon plays mostly the same parts as the euphonium does, which is great as we often get beautiful melody’s and counter melody’s, I think the two work well together as they both have Beautiful tones and I have played both parts in band on my bassoon and the parts are both fun and similar to me, good video tho! *pls can I have tips on Weber’s bassoon concerto, it’s fun but annoying haha

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

You’re right - bassoon and euphonium do have a lot in common in bands! Couple general tips for Weber - particularly in the first movement, make sure that the dotted eighth-sixteenth rhythms are accurate and that they don’t sound like triplets. You can make sure that the rhythm is accurate by practicing speaking and playing the full sixteenth note subdivision before playing as written. Then, when you play, keep that constant sixteenth note subdivision in your head. Another general tip is to play all the technical passages, the scale runs and such, with different articulations (all slurred, all tongued, slur 2/tongue 2, etc.) to make sure that your tongue and finger alignment is precise. Also never practice any part faster than the tempo you can play perfectly or else you’ll develop bad habits. Weber is tricky, so good luck!

[@nyancs7098]

Building a Bassoonist ye thank you! I’m almost there with the first movement but the last bit is killer

[@lizitsotsonava5752]

im playing bassoon, and when its hard and i wanna give up... ur videos are giving me a motivation to keep going and work hard! thank you!

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

that's the best thing to hear, thanks so much and best of luck!

[@lorenzoferro3137]

I play the bassoon and what I love most is the baroque repertoire, especially Vivaldi's concerts.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Yes! The baroque lit is so great for bassoon!

[@tdawggrayson]

I mainly play bass clarinet but I love the tone and the feel of the bassoon! I'm eager to learn how to play it; if I had to switch instruments I would choose this one :)

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

You should give it a try!!

[@tdawggrayson]

@@BuildingaBassoonist I'm hoping to sometime soon

[@themosterstoster7587]

Play both

[@tdawggrayson]

@@themosterstoster7587 can't argue with that

[@sazzy6264]

Close cousins, the bassoon and bass clarinet!!

[@ginavingara8393]

I will definitely be showing this video to my 7th grade band students to see who is interested in switching :D Thank you so much!

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Love it! That’s what I intended this video for. 🙂 Here’s hoping you get some new bassoonists! 🤞

[@johnpawlicki1184]

I playeed the bassoon in high school, back in the 60s and really loved it. Never continued for a variety of reasons. Now I am getting arthritis and could not play even if I got one. Very cool that you have this channel.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Thank you! I’m glad the bassoon brings back fond memories 🙂

[@ernestoromero3816]

I would like to learn the bassoon since I was in high school tho my music teacher never let me play it, instead made me play the trombone, he said it sounded the same as the bassoon, but he didn’t understood that I was in awe of the sound and the looks of the bassoon. Which brand of bassoon would you recommend me to start off with?

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Ernesto! I’m so glad you’re thinking of starting bassoon, it’s never too late!! I highly recommend trying to rent an instrument, as bassoons can be quite expensive to buy. If you decide to purchase a bassoon, I would only recommend starting with a Fox bassoon because this is the most reliable and affordable brand in my opinion. The cheapest would be a model 41 or 51 (non-wooden), but you should also check out the 222, 220 or 240 models down the road! Good luck, and let me know if you need any further help!

[@nyancs7098]

BASSOONS DONT SOUND LIKE TROMBONES CURSE HIM

[@tbelding]

To agree with the channel creator, do NOT even consider buying a bassoon to start. Even if you find a really fantastic deal somewhere, it's likely to cost you an enormous sum to have it tuned, repadded, etc - for something you may not enjoy. The reeds alone are very expensive, even if you end up making your own. Rent, and if you can, get plastic reeds to start with. As for brands? Fox is a good starter, Linton can be good, Schreiber, especially the older ones, are very nice, and then you get into the really expensive ranges. Just rent for a few months.

[@tbelding]

@@nyancs7098 - Bassoons and trombones often play the same parts. I was sometimes handed trombone parts to play on the bassoon because the composer didn't _make_ a bassoon part.

[@nyancs7098]

Troy Belding sometimes they do but if you look at scores then bassoons often play with euphonium and tenor sax as a counter melodic tenor instrument which is great as this shows the lyrical tone the bassoon has.

[@Justin_Vandyke]

I’m switching to bassoon next school year and this video made me wanna do it more! Thanks. I am in 7th grade btw

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Yay that’s awesome congrats!

[@Justin_Vandyke]

@@BuildingaBassoonist just got it today!

[@trainliker100]

Thank you for creating this superb presentation. Perhaps you will encourage somebody, for example, currently existing in a sea of clarinets to change to the more unique existence and challenge of the bassoon. (That's just what happened to me a lifetime ago.) Also, at some point I opted to study the perhaps even more difficult French horn and ultimately ended up going fully to the dark side - yes - the trumpet. But I miss the bassoon but don't really miss dealing with the reeds - brass mouthpieces are immeasurably more stable and long lasting. I also don't miss having to count out 286 measures of rests.

[@JoshSaysStuff]

Your playing is so beautiful! I wish I could afford a bassoon. It’s my most aspirational instrument.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

See if you can rent one!

[@rudirooted4906]

Bassoons are so cool

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

😎

[@jrshields683]

An Old Man Story: In about 1979, I saw a bassoon in a Pawn Shop window in Hampton VA. I really would have liked to have it and learn to play it, but IIRC, it was like $800. Also, it didn't include the part that the reed fits into (mouthpiece?) on it that leads to the bassoon part. Too much money for something I might not have made to work. I seem to remember some nice bassoon work in Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition."

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

$800, even then, is a pretty cheap price for a bassoon, but you probably dodged a bullet in that it would have cost you a lot in repairs/maintenance to get it up and running! Pictures does have some nice bassoon moments!

[@sazzy6264]

I played bassoon because of its unique abilities. You can bring the baseline and also carry a melody!

[@jameschristiansson3137]

I have a Buffet Crampon bassoon. The bassoon path less taken. Subscribed.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

That is definitely a path less taken, wow! I’ve never played French bassoon but it’s on my bucket list to try!

[@ladylock5006]

🎶👋🏾“great video”, “fantastic tone quality”👋🏾,would LOVE to learn, am a senior and have played 🎷alto, tenor saxophone, french horn n 🎹piano. would LOVE the challenge and stimulation but apprehensive about renting due to covid, “i will succeed”because i miss performing n this would complete my bucket list 😀

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

It never hurts to try, I hope you get a chance to play it at some point!

[@ladylock5006]

@@BuildingaBassoonist 🎶“thanks for your encouragement, i am working on it”🎷

[@jaydonhartshorn7370]

i just got the oppurtunity to switch to a bassoon is that one i should take

[@donnaiam6812]

I was really interested in the Bassoon for my concert band. Im gonna assume it costs a lot and I don't have much funding, but I'd love to play it one day.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Most band programs have a bassoon that you can rent! If not, talk to your band director, they may be able to help you find one that isn't super expensive to rent.

[@trainliker100]

The bassoon is also excellent as a sort of very large lever with a delicate reed on the end where you can swing this lever up into playing position and hit your teeth with the reed ruining it. At least, that's my main takeaway as a former bassoon player.

[@omnomcatjam]

This video is pretty old but oh well I have started playing the bassoon this year and I think I'm doing pretty well, I got into region band and got an all-state call back but when I saw you play one of the pieces, I saw your bottom jaw sort of moving and I was curious if that just helps or if you're supposed to do that while playing The part I'm talking about starts at 2:18

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

It’s not something that you’re supposed to try to do, but it’s pretty common for our jaws to move a little bit, especially when you articulate, particularly in the low register. So don’t worry about it or try to do it, but if you notice it in your own playing it’s ok.

[@nevoyu]

I love the sound of the vasoon, but sadly my grandfather passed his onto my brother who who sold it for a trumpet.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Oh no!! That’s too bad 😞

[@eelikuusniemi.3513]

I have always loved bassoon, and wanted to play it. The only reason i haven't got one jet is because they are so darn expensive, and i can't find any used ones in my country.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

I know they are super expensive and that’s a barrier for most people!

[@SpencerYoon]

My low notes(specifically b flat) are sounding very high. What is happening?

[@gabelol9987]

Hello, great video! Do you know what type of bassoon I should get as a beginner?? And where I can find one?

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Great question! As a beginner, you should try to rent or borrow (rather than buy) a bassoon if at all possible, which may mean that you would have limited options to choose from. You can check with local schools or music stores to see if you can rent! If you do have a choice over bassoons, generally a Fox (or Renard) brand of bassoon is a good brand. Also check to make sure that the bassoon has been maintenanced recently, and if not, take it to a repair shop to make sure that everything is working correctly. Hope this helps!

[@DmitriShostakovichDSCH]

me, a literal professional cellist, watching this: i should drop everything and play *bassoon*

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Omg I’ve always wanted to play cello. Wanna switch?

[@DmitriShostakovichDSCH]

i’d love to but unfortunately i can barely even make a sound out of a bassoon, let alone play stravinsky rite of spring

[@Brooklyn-Anne]

I’ve been playing the trombone for a year and a half in my school band and recently I’ve just been really stressed out with it. I’ve been looking at the bassoon recently but I’m worried about it being an issue for school. I’m a 6th grade girl and we don’t have any other Bassoon players in the band. Any thoughts?

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Talk to your band director about it! They might let you try it out for a little bit to see if you like it. I was the only bassoonist in my band almost all the way through middle and high school, it's pretty normal to be the only one!

[@Brooklyn-Anne]

@@BuildingaBassoonist thanks! I did and they said it would be great to have one. I’m starting privet lessons on January 9th

[@lizardsandleaves9523]

I wanna play bass on I 6th grade band any tips

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Yay! Buy handmade reeds by a real bassoonist (most music stores only have really low quality reeds that don’t play well). If you can try to get even a couple lessons with a bassoon teacher, that will be the most helpful for you! Also, be very patient. Getting started on bassoon can take some time and you may get frustrated, but if you keep at it, I promise it will get easier! Feel free to ask me more questions once you get started 😊

[@lesliefranklin1870]

I tried switching from clarinet to bassoon about 40 years ago. My thumbs got confused and tired, so I ended up with the bass clarinet. Too bad. 😥 Good luck to others to try and succeed.

[@baileycarter5141]

As a percussionist learning it, it’s been….very difficult lol.

[@helloooooo...]

i want to switch from oboe to basson but my band directer will be dissapointed if i switch and we dont currently support basoon. also our concert is coming up and i dont have time to learn. and nobody will help me :(

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Maybe after your concert you can politely ask your band director to try bassoon out for a little bit, and if it doesn’t work out you can always switch back to oboe 🙂

[@Lizzardthething]

I’ve been trying to learn the oboe lately since I mastered the clarinet. Only problem is: 1: I’m the only one in my school band.2:I’m really impatient when it comes to soaking the reed. I just wanna be able to assemble and play.3:It’s so expensive for one reed. The packs only come with one and it costs $20 for a pack. The reeds don’t last that long either.4:My band teacher never learned to play one, so he just shouts out notes and accents and expects me to already be able to recognize notes. 5:I’m constantly being ridiculed and belittled on days I play the clarinet. I would honestly rather have the bassoon or bass clarinet as a secondary. The only problem is, our band doesn’t have a bassoon and all the bass clarinets in the band that aren’t being played are broken. Anyone got an idea of another instrument that would be easy for an advanced clarinetist to learn how to play?

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Do you live near a music store that you could rent an instrument from? Have you talked to your band director about options for renting?

[@baileycarter5141]

Percussion, like bass drum. As long as you can follow the band director and you learn technique, you are golden. Just keep in mind you’ll have to share one braincell with everyone lol (coming from a percussionist)

[@Lizzardthething]

@@baileycarter5141 I have since I posted this actually considered that as a potential fresh start for high school. So yeah, I totally agree.

[@3_up_moon]

Playing bassoon is very intimidating to many of us. Beautiful and wonderful, yes, but also very difficult, right?

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

It can be difficult at first but with practice and patience it gets better! And if you have a teacher to guide you, it makes it even easier

[@alexschubert9768]

I have a strong suspicion, that there's so few bassoonists, because it's absolutely unaffordable, as well as unavailable (both buying and renting are rare/hard to come by) and that double reed. Not even because it's hard to play, but because you have to build it yourself...

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

You’re absolutely right - playing bassoon can be a very expensive endeavor and in some cases, nearly impossible to play due to the financial barrier. If you’re a student or have a connection to a local school or college, that is usually the best way to rent a bassoon for relatively cheap. I always recommend for anyone interested in playing the bassoon to reach out to a professional bassoonist for help locating resources. If you can’t find someone in your area, you can always reach out to me and I’m happy to utilize my network of colleagues to find the right person to help you. Yes, playing bassoon can be expensive, but there are also a lot of people (like myself) who can help prospective bassoonists reduce that barrier to entry and find ways to make it work. 😊

[@Cannibalize946]

I play the clarinet but my band director wants me to play the bassoon Idk if i should or not

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

You could always try it out for a little bit and switch back if you don’t like it. And it’s okay to play multiple instruments 🙂

[@Cannibalize946]

@@BuildingaBassoonist i just tried it out today and i liked it a lot. So i think will keep playing it

[@hellebelle]

​@@Cannibalize946 how's the bassoon playing going? I started today after decades on clarinet.

[@user-em3ks7ox4i]

3.47 F Horn out of tune?

[@gravel35]

6th reason. multitonics

[@vanesatorres3738]

*cries in marching band school*

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

😭

[@jannarkiewicz633]

Jan, I saw "Only the Murders in this Building" -- I am afraid oof Bassoon players.

[@meghannachtiean3830]

But they are so expensive

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Yes - but there are ways for it to be more accessible financially!

[@JakeandOwen]

The bassoon re minds me of Harry Potter

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

It is very magical indeed.

[@uhh4312]

one reason to not play bassoon: its so goddamn expensive

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

I know!! The price is an obstacle for sure. Luckily there are decent rental options out there that make it possible to play without purchasing one. 🙂

[@uhh4312]

@@BuildingaBassoonist there is not even a single rental of any instrument here, if there is any i would for sure try a lot of instruments before i picked one

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Ugh that is so frustrating, I’m sorry! You might try looking into some online music rental places. I know Midwest Musical Imports - www.mmimports.com/services/instrument-rental/ has an instrument rental program that you might check out!

[@uhh4312]

@@BuildingaBassoonist i live in indonesia, online rental doesnt exist as well, the only rental that exist is rehearsal space that rent rock/pop rock band format instruments and a room for band practice. still bassoon is my favourite woodwind even if i play violin

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

I see, well that’s unfortunate! I hope that an opportunity might come up for you at some point to rent another instrument!

[@bahukadapoet6764]

It’s all fun and games till you realize the reeds will cost you more than the bassoon itself

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

It’s unfortunate that reeds (and the bassoon in general) can be quite expensive! However, if you are rotating reeds regularly and taking very good care of them, it is possible for them to last several months or more depending on how much you play.

[@vishwanathindependentfinan3843]

are you a Libra by any chance...

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Nope!

[@tbelding]

Nobody really plays bassoon. You just learn to fake it really well. (Played flute and bassoon 7+ years actively, still own my Schreiber)

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

😂

[@tbelding]

@@BuildingaBassoonist - Were you ever taught to make the bassoon honk? (all fingers down, lift first finger up) Apparently there was a composer that actually scored for that one. My teacher actually made me work at it for a bit, both to improve control and give me some humourous rest.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

@@tbelding interesting, I’ve never heard of that!

[@tbelding]

@@BuildingaBassoonist - My instructor was first chair Houston SO at the time, so it was an interesting thing to practice. And funny. "Why would anyone want a donkey honking in their music?" I'm guessing dissonance.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

I think what you’re referring to are multiphonics - they come up quite a bit in more contemporary music as an extended technique. I haven’t heard of using them as a way to work on fundamentals but that’s interesting!

[@BEAN.MACHINE]

It isn't not wanting to play bassoon that's the problem, it's not having enough money 😂

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

I hear you and I 100% get it! Such an investment. But there are ways to make it manageable 😊

[@cubatical]

I suggest renting it

[@PointyTailofSatan]

The bassoon is what you play when you can't play the viola.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Trying to decide if that’s a burn for the viola or the bassoon 🤔

[@mitel640]

"Unique, interesting and to learn" You mean, very expensive, fragile and hard to learn😅.

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

I hear you and (mostly) agree with you, but let me reframe that for anyone who’s thinking about learning bassoon. 🙂 Expensive? Yes, if you are planning to actually buy one, but luckily there are often less expensive options to rent or borrow. Fragile? Yes, just like any other instrument or anything with value, the bassoon requires care and caution, but it’s not difficult or complicated to learn how to take care of it. Hard to learn? Sometimes, because anything that is worthwhile takes effort to do and is sometimes difficult. However, the rewards of learning how to play the bassoon (or any instrument) far outweigh the effort it takes to get there. Thanks for your comment!

[@mitel640]

@@BuildingaBassoonist, I always enjoyed to listen to the warm tambre and voice like tone of the bassoon. But it's just not for me, though. I recently had the interest of learning a woodwind, so looked through the woodwind family and found that alto saxophone would better suit my needs....

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

I’m glad you found an instrument that you wanted to play, that’s great! Have fun learning it!