How to Write for Bassoon in 4 Minutes

[@bobboulden]

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

[@amj.composer]

It's known as the Levitin Effect

[@snarf1504]

You don't need perfect pitch to recognize a melody, lol

[@gustheGOATfr]

all i know that it was the song that caused a riot

[@duryi6399]

Its a C

[@tarynnwitten868]

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

[@trueconextionmusic7707]

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.

[@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

[@mrewan6221]

LOL dynamics! We have a big dynamic range from a loudish mp to a quietish mf. We might get some notes at a middling-quiet mp, with a good reed. Low D works best as a muffled p. Low B is only available at fff.

[@theexcaliburone5933]

Bassoon has a pretty big dynamic range

[@willmorris8198]

​@@mrewan6221Low B only available at FFF? Tell that to Tchaikovsky who wrote low B1 at ppp at the end of movement 1 of his fifth symphony 😂

[@mrewan6221]

LOL! I suspect Tchaikovsy was expecting bassoons to have a consistent dynamic range, like a decent modern piano. Sullivan wrote low D at ff followed by low B as pp. He actually played bassoon, and was probably just trying to get both notes balanced at some sort of mezzo-volume. Maybe Tchaikowsky was doing something similar? But then, Tchaikovsky also wrote low D at pppppp (6th Symphony, end of first movement). Probably a bit of overkill. Or maybe French system bassoons? I have no knowledge of their dynamic profile.

[@willmorris8198]

@@mrewan6221 I've found generally composers don't give a crap about the technical limitations of our instrument (or other instruments) and sometimes we just have to find a way to make it work. Great orchestration is half about using the colors of the orchestra effectively AND writing idiomatic parts. Some composers like Tchaikovsky is better at the first and not so much at the second :)

[@StelarRoomVids]

Yay we have a bassoon video now :)

[@lambda1863]

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

[@dedede5586]

as a bassoon player, this is completely accurate!

[@matiasorozcoezcurra3971]

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?

[@jeremyzerbe3152]

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

[@projectmilzock]

Such a lovely sound

[@Cazcanhazvideos]

This video series is WONDERFUL. Great work. xxx

[@matiasorozcoezcurra3971]

Return of the king

[@gemmamerinserra4988]

Clear and concise as always!

[@yoaveden]

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

[@ottogibbs]

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

[@mrewan6221]

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.

[@enriquesaenzavila3432]

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

[@Origen17]

super-helpful - thanks!

[@JaySchwartz]

Thanks for this. Nicely done!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Josh, this is a great video. I've started playing my oboe with a friend new to the bassoon. He's making good progress and takes a weekly lesson. The options for duets is very small-mostly too hard for him and some contemporary stuff that doesn't appeal to either of us. I have a ton of books for oboe duets and other C instruments. How can I easily transpose all the 2nd parts to bass clef? There must be a program that does this, yes? Thanks so much.

[@joshuagonzalez3916]

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

[@aldrydd1]

Informative video!

[@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?😆)

[@bruimprov]

Suggestions for scores to read of more modern bassoon composers? I looked at Vivaldi’s concerti, but it’s older composition. Also, what is write is concert pitch? Thanks

[@solus5635]

Helpful series, great job man!

[@clipcity484]

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

[@willmorris8198]

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.

[@enriquesaenzavila3432]

Is it possible to write unit notes (in 4/4) using the "aspirated air strike" technique?

[@aidanknox2430]

what a good day it is

[@sonen3]

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

[@g67785]

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

[@nicktannen]

Hi, thanks very helpful. Any tips on speed and jumps, for example 16th notes at 135, with long jumps, how many measures is comfortable to play?

[@nyancs7098]

Depends on the interval and the fingering of the notes, bassoon is really agile but there are some notes that are hard to hit with out cracking like d above middle c

[@dino-di1si]

is there a video series like this one that has brass?

[@dreamingeel8391]

ur a star

[@laurajhball]

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

[@sergiogodinez3770]

YES! :D

[@vp5633]

Benny Harvey RIP

[@matiasmarquez4861]

I missed you c:

[@dirkbretschneider4935]

That's a legère reed, no? How do you like it?

[@JoshPlotner]

Yep! They're honestly great. Haven't found a cane reed I like better, and they're so convenient that I'm afraid to find one. There are a couple little issues here and there but overall they really are great reeds.

How about the contra bassoon?

[@JoshPlotner]

Just waiting on the $20,000 donation to my channel 😂😅

@@JoshPlotner even more expensive than baritone sax or bass clarinet? It has a lot of low end ooomph though. The other end of the spectrum compared to piccolo flute 😝

[@JoshPlotner]

@ Oh by far. Those instruments don't cost anywhere near that, even brand new.

@@JoshPlotner 😢

[@daniellepalao4089]

Can you please cover Fireflies by Owl City?

[@lindichen50]

2:01

[@isaiahhymans948]

Omg yes

[@ottogibbs]

First haha

[@aldrydd1]

Beat me to it!