I learned the bassoon and tried to pass my grade 1 | Team Recorder + ABRSM

Can this recorder player learn the bassoon? Come along with me as I go from complete beginner to grade 1 level in a month…
This is a paid partnership with ABRSM.
/// LINKS
ABRSM Performance Grades: bit.ly/3KyycP3
ABRSM Exams: bit.ly/3R9nxgj
ABRSM online shop: bit.ly/3dYMlZE
Amsterdam Bassoon Center www.amsterdambassooncenter.com
Garrett McQueen, bassoonist www.garrettmcqueen.com
Garrett’s ‘Trilloquy’ podcast www.trilloquy.org
Inge Reijn, pianist muziekschoolingereijn.nl
/// TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:21 Trying my new bassoon
02:15 Practice vlogs
06:11 Lesson with Garrett McQueen
08:54 First rehearsal
10:08 My exam
11:24 Getting my results!
13:56 Reflections
/// REPERTOIRE
For my grade 1 bassoon I played:
‘Dawn Chorus’ by Jane Sebba
‘Water Lillies’ by Sarah Watts
‘Damkol damsel’ by Siavash Beizai
‘Overture’ from ‘L’amant Anonime’ by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Get the score of the Joseph Bologne here: www.dropbox.com/s/5e6u65dp269...
/// INSTRUMENTS
For this video I rented a Mollenhauer bassoon from the Amsterdam Bassoon Center. Bassoonists will notice there is no whisper key!
//////
Website: www.sarahjeffery.com
Tiktok / instagram / twitter: @team_recorder
//// ONLINE COURSE!
Check out my online courses for recorder players: sarahjeffery.com/Online-Course
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'Constellations' is out!! It can be ordered on (signed) CD or digital download here: team-recorder.myshopify.com/
LISTEN NOW ON SPOTIFY! open.spotify.com/artist/3wL36...
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Go #teamrecorder

[@gwynhwfar]

I got a bassoon for my 50th birthday. It's now 5 years later and I'm about to do my grade 8. (I was a oboist first, so more used to double reed)

[@Team_Recorder]

Incredible! ❤️

[@qwyyfluut]

@@Team_Recorder You should retry saxophone & clarinet & see if your reed experience helped you get better on them. Other than that, maybe you can try (lip-vibrated) brass &/or bowed string instruments.

[@gwynhwfar]

Update: got my grade 8 with merit!

[@amivalentine3380]

@@gwynhwfar Congratulations!

[@InkByt3]

@@gwynhwfar Congrats!!!

[@joaovieira6740]

Thank you for normalizing being a beginner, even when starting at "late" age, the most important part is having fun and wanting to learn! 💪

[@Team_Recorder]

Well said!

[@jazzigreycat]

Hi Sarah! I literally screamed with delight when I got a distinction at grade 8 oboe at age 70. Took me 6 years “from scratch”. I concur with your remarks about the positive and constructive comments from ABRSM examiners: mine even found something good to say about my scales, which were pretty rubbish. Now I'm thinking of trying for the ARSM diploma.

[@Team_Recorder]

That’s amazing, huge congrats!

[@PlayerClarinet]

This exercise is excellent empathy-training for music teachers. I recall doing an exam on flute in the last year of my bachelor's degree as a clarinet student. The experience reminded me of what it's like when you understand the requirements of the music, but don't yet have the capacity to control the instrument.

[@carolebenchetrit2566]

Dear Sarah, I'm a recorder teacher in France and i started studying the bassoon 6 years ago at the age of 55 ! I've been making progress playing in a junior Harmony band and last year, i played in the symphonic orchestra of my music school .( 2nd basson of the Beethoven's first Symphony). I'm also lucky to have an excellent teacher . Keep on practicing this beautiful instrument ! All my best musical wiches for you. ! Carole. ( Excuse my english that i did not practice for a long time !! )

[@onemanfran]

I found myself getting really emotional when you saw your mark. I remember when I was 7 and I got told that I received the best mark in the county for my grade 1 recorder exam. Not much has ever topped that feeling for me, thirty years later.

[@Team_Recorder]

Awww that's wonderful! Congratulations!

[@allanjmcpherson]

It's great to see your journey through your grade 1 exam! I think doing things like this is great for experienced musicians, especially those of us who teach. It helps to build empathy for our students and remind us what it's like to be a beginner. Having watched some of your exam, I knew there was no way you would fail it. I think it's worth remembering that as a trained musician, your expectations are much higher. We hear all the things that a complete beginner just couldn't be expected to be sensitive to yet. Great job, Sarah!

[@Team_Recorder]

Yes!! I think where possible it's so helpful for teachers to be in the learning role again!

[@sarahbattensby]

This is actually so inspiring! I passed my grade 7 violin 10 years ago just before I moved away for uni and I have always felt like I hadn't quite completed what I set out to do, in that I never got my grade 8. I've very much stayed the same level over the last 10 years, maybe got a little better because I did take lessons again for a while and join the uni orchestra, but I had no idea you could do these digital performance exams now! The scales and sightreading used to make me so horribly nervous and I think I would much prefer this kind of exam. I think I might just start working towards finally getting my grade 8. Better late than never!

[@KakeiTheWoIf]

Quite impressive. The bassoon is widely considered one of the most difficult instruments to learn.

[@lipamanka]

considered by who? i mean it’s hard but idk if it’s harder than most other instruments, it just puts its difficulty in other places

[@davidlove236]

Both the bassoon and oboe are among the harder instruments to learn due to the double reed.

[@KakeiTheWoIf]

@@lipamanka, it is considered to be among the hardest because of the very complex fingerings, the fact there is a double reed involved, the range of the instrument, the difficulty of techniques, and the sheer breath control and power needed to master it.

[@lipamanka]

@@KakeiTheWoIf I mean. I played bassoon for two years and most of those things you mentioned (besides the reed and range) is more difficult to learn on the recorder. The double reed ain't so bad either in my experience. What's ur experience with bassoon?

[@georgeschaut2178]

There's no disputing it's one of the most expensive instruments to buy...good thing Sarah's renting!

[@LeRoiJojo]

As a musician who did it the other way around, from bassoon to recorder, all I have to say is I'm sorry for your loss.

[@MyMy-tv7fd]

not sure how to take that...

[@luckybarrel7829]

Elaborate plz, dish everything, i'm curious

[@LeRoiJojo]

Any amount of time without finicky cane is a time one should cherish.

[@Ice_Karma]

@@LeRoiJojo A love/hate relationship with the bassoon, or just a hate/hate one?😹

[@katiem4185]

I played bassoon in college and haven't played an instrument since then, 15 years ago. I decided to start learning the alto recorder and found your channel. And watching you play bassoon brought back all the feels :)

[@davidm1922]

Same here! I hadn't played bassoon for 25 years after high school, picked up recorder and have played 7ish months... And after really enjoying learning the recorder I've gotten a bassoon again and have started relearning. They're very compatible instruments and share a lot in common (forked fingering, dynamics challenges, playing in the second/third registers, many alternate fingerings, even how you play C!).

[@gayanderson2242]

The lesson with Garrett was surprising. I never would guess that making that crow-like squawk on the reed helps in getting a better tone on the bassoon. I could hear the difference before and after. A great teacher helps so much!

[@katerlinmossa8940]

Sarah you are doing great. And here I’m the other way around, I’m a professional bassoon player and now back to my recorder journey coz I actually started the recorder before I learnt the bassoon. I’m now buying my first wooden alto recorder and I watched a lot of your videos, it’s really helpful😊 Hope you enjoy playing the bassoon!!!

[@iwantmy2dollars662]

I started on violin, added flute, then switched flute for bassoon. I couldn't agree more with everything you said about learning one instrument helping you learn about the other. Bassoon and violin are very different, but this allows me a lot of diversity in how i'm learning. One of my favorite practice techniques is to play whatever i'm working on using the other instrument, I find it very insightful for phrasing/musicality stuff! Great job!!

[@Team_Recorder]

Ohh that's such a good idea!

[@2000konnie]

This was very interesting! Are you planning on going to the next level for bassoon? Are you thinking of working in playing bassoon with any of your musical groups?

[@InstrumentManiac]

Great video! Those double reed instruments are such a pain to learn and progress on 😂 But you did a fantastic job, I loved seeing the learning process and your approach as well. Congrats!

[@cathytai]

i love this, thank you for being real and making me feel so much better as i continue to struggle with every instrument i pick up, lolol!

[@gwynhwfar]

Congratulations! I'm feeling so proud of you. I've had some recorder lessons this year and learning how to play recorder has taught me so much that I can take into my bassoon playing.

[@fepatton]

This so amazing to see! My Dad took up oboe after playing saxophone on and off since high school. He always had really good tone, but the double reed tripped him up at first. However, after a few noisy months, he got quite good at it!

[@ricomcsuave6348]

Yay congratulations on your distinction!! 🥳 That was a fascinating trip!! Thanks for bringing us along!! =D

[@emjaybee_3]

I am a bassoonist struggling a bit to learn recorder, so this video seeing the reverse process was very encouraging! I may check out this grading system just to give myself some direction instead of practicing abstract technique.

[@mrgmusicalmadness]

I LOVE playing different instruments & I think playing a new instrument can help with instruments you already play. Thanks for sharing, Sarah, very fun to watch! Take care, Mr. Greg

[@darktimesatrockymountainhi4046]

OMG! I LOVE watching you try the bassoon! I grew up as a violinist, but took up the recorder at about age 13. After becoming quite proficient on recorder, I took up the bassoon at age 17. In college, I was lucky, lucky, lucky to study with a world-class bassoon teacher & perform as the principal bassoonist of our wind ensemble & concert band. Now, after 45 years having bassoon as a secondary instrument, I've recently performed in a church orchestra program, taken on some middle school & high school student bassoonists, and joined our local community orchestra as 2d bassoon. Playing the recorder was a fantastic transition for me from strings to bassoon, and I enjoy playing bassoon so often lately. I will check out these "exams." Thanks, Sarah!

[@MrBerryK]

I had never heard of ABRSM grades before this video so I went and looked them up. I used to play recorder and krummhorn in my university ancient music consort (I think I was the only non-music major in the group). I looked and thought hey, I could probably get to at least grade three with a week or two of practice to get my chops back! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@josequins9099]

I was taught clarinet by a cornet player. Though they could get me started, there was a lot of info I missed out on by not having a clarinetist teach me. The one big thing was how much the inside of your mouth needs to change from high to low notes. I thought the embouchure stayed the same throughout the range but that's not the case. The jaw and tongue change positions quite a lot. I imagine it would be a similar for playing the bassoon. If you're struggling with either high or low notes it's not necessarily the lip part of your embouchure that needs to change, but something inside. Notice at 4:05 how when Sarah hit that low note her jaw actually moves. Opening up your mouth on the inside helps with low notes. It's awesome to see you in the process of learning another instrument, Sarah. Well done!

[@shoshannafachima1306]

Congratulations upon receiving the grade-distinction on your bassoon exam👏👏👏🏆🎵🎶

[@Team_Recorder]

Thank you!

[@shoshannafachima1306]

@@Team_Recorder you are very welcome 💞

[@baroquer]

Bravissimo Sarah, kudos! The bassoon is such an amazing instrument

[@ashleighmason4982]

Congrats!! Very good job for such a short time. I'm doing this challenge the opposite way around, with recorder for fun and of course your channel is a big help 🧡

[@TudorOwen50s]

Congratulations, Sarah!!!👏👏👏🤗 I found this video encouraging. I'm gonna keep at my practices. The funny thing is that I'm a string instrument player and yet your videos help me to become more aware of technique and fundamentals in a more enjoyable way.

[@YawpMusic]

This is brilliant! Thank you for this.

[@sofiyah7465]

Please do more videos like these

[@niapawina]

This was so fun to watch!!!

[@Ice_Karma]

Congratulations for doing so well with such a tough instrument in such a short time! I think I gasped just slightly before you did, when that "130/150 - Distinction" came up. 😻😽😸

[@jennd8968]

Watching this video forced me to get out the clarinet I bought years ago - Now completed Lesson 1 and 2 of the Tune a day book. (I'm a grade 8 violinist and grade 5 flautist) Thanks for posting and inspiring me :)

[@elandII]

6:29 "SARAH YOUR CAT IS MEOWING AT AIR AGAIN"

[@ke9tv]

Could definitely hear the musicianship although you were strugging with the technique. It reminds me of when I started to try teaching my daughter - already a professional musician - the recorder. It was amazing to hear her add competent and tasteful vibrato, while still struggling with not leaking air and getting the notes to speak clearly. The musicianship - obvious. The technique - not quite yet. The bassoon is notoriously tricky: an ill wind that nobody blows good. But then again, you're a recorder player - so you're used to taming notoriously temperamental instruments. You'll be all set for trying to add a rackett to a recorder ensemble because the C bass can't quite manage to balance the other instruments!

[@allanjmcpherson]

This is very much my experience with the oboe. I double on a number of instruments, and the oboe is probably the one where the difference is the most stark. My tone and intonation far exceed my technical skill.

[@Team_Recorder]

Yes, and the danger is I use my vibrato and musical expressiveness to cover up the technique. I had to keep reminding myself, be patient, be patient..

[@ke9tv]

@@Team_Recorder Being _able_ to do that for your audience - to make music in spite of your limitations.

[@dees3179]

Super well done Sarah. Excellent break down and review as well as the general achievement. I play recorder and bassoon too. May I strongly suggest trying to get your hands on a baroque bassoon for a few months? I absolutely love mine. It is very light compared to the modern one and honestly feels like holding a bass recorder. I'm working on the Vivaldi A min rv86 with a friend. It will take us a while! So worth it though.

[@ellencripps6953]

I'm working towards my grade 8 for treble recorder so I know how you feel about being back in the position of taking exams. I teach various instruments so I'm used to preparing pupils for exams but it's so different doing it yourself! Really pleased for you with your distinction!

[@BrokenOboeReed]

Hello Sarah. Congratulations! Well done. I learned to play the recorder in primary school and it was invaluable for my learning of other woodwind instruments. Knowing how to play the alto recorder helped considerably in transposing especially when playing the English Horn. Keep up the good work!

[@christhorp8410]

I’m so impressed Sarah. I love your recorder videos. (P. S. I am a bassoonist!)

[@toddm8609]

Hi Sarah- Congrats! I took up bassoon a year ago, coming from saxophone, and completely agree that being a beginner again is very rewarding and actually helps your approach on your primary instrument. Are you going to keep learning more about bassoon?

[@martineguest5378]

I am currently playing clarinet grade 6 but i found the grade 5 exam such hard work through covid that i needed a break from it. started alto sax and got distinction on grade 1 very quickly and this has given me a new impetus to continue on my clarinet journey. I too thought i had just "passed" and cried when i got my distinction results. I believe my teacher did as well!

[@lauriesearle2596]

Great job Sarah, I've sent your link to all of my bassoonist buddies. I gone through a similar experience. . . I'm a retired professional clarinetist (and recorder player too:-) who decided to learn the piano at age 63. What a humbling experience. And like you, impatience is my greatest challenge. When you're an accomplished musician, it's so difficult to "dial it back several notches" and not want to jump ahead in the lesson book on your new instrument. Besides my similar experience with piano, your journey has inspired me to follow in your footsteps, maybe next year, and try a similar journey with a trumpet. I've always wondered if trumpet is as difficult as many amateurs make it sound. I've added it to my bucket list to find out.

[@Team_Recorder]

Oh, enjoy trumpet!

[@bexl4536]

Congratulations on your Distinction! I started the recorder in 2020 and took an ABRSM performance grade exam six weeks ago. Absolutely loved the experience and think it’s great that people can do it from home! I’m an oboist and being a wind player made the learning process a bit quicker. Your videos really helped me on this journey - thank you Sarah!

[@Team_Recorder]

Ohh that's wonderful to hear! I hoped you enjoyed your performance grade journey as much as I did!

[@mantistoboggan2676]

This was cool. Learning new things is the best!!!

[@OmaBike]

I am relearning the flute, and I bought ABRSM materials to help me along. I like the exam preparation books to learn what level I'm at, and I have been working on those pieces until I can play to speed and tone before moving on. And I like all the sight reading and the scales section. (I remember in high school being able to play all the scales by memory.) Of course, I have tons of recorder material that I can play on the flute, so I have plenty to do. Hey, Sarah, I discovered a couple of your videos of the Telemann 6 canonic sonatas and listening to you play them has really helped me a lot. Now I'm playing through those and practicing number 3, especially. You really helped me get the feeling for a piece. Though, it's usually more of a problem for me when I play something classical or romantic, since I play so much baroque music. Thanks for those.

[@Team_Recorder]

That's great to hear!

[@zsuzsakatahorvath7203]

Many congratulations, Sarah! I am going the other way, learning to play the recorder and the tin whistle as a bassoonist... It is never easy and is rather challenging...

[@OmaBike]

Yay! Way to go! Now I want a bassoon. If only there was one instrument that I could play really well. LOL

[@fuyu856]

I love this video so much, since im really curious about bassoons as a beginner violinist.

[@soniaparkes1080]

I'm working on abrsm grade 7 flute at the moment. I started as an adult with my grade 1 and have been working on my flute ever since. It was interesting to see the bassoon grade one and inspiring to see you pass.

[@marksadler4104]

A grade 7 absrm piece for flute Monody of a Fawn was composed by Adrian Connell, an old school friend of mine who influenced me into the world of music. Good luck with your upcoming exam😃

[@Team_Recorder]

Oh lovely!

[@norwaysofen]

How fun! Well done! I love learning new instruments, never tried the Bassoon but my daughter was very talented when she was young. I have played the oboe, but recorder is my instrument.

[@Laogeodritt]

I haven't taken formal RCM exams since my Grade 5 cello exam when I was a preteen, but I've often used the RCM and ABRSM syllabi to discover new repertoire at my level of skill when I've picked up new instruments, and as a way of self-evaluating my progress. And sometimes when I need some filler rep for a performance and aren't feeling any of my existing repertoire, I'll just grab something from the Grade 5-6 cello syllabi. =>

[@tehminagoskar2043]

Yay 😀 congratulations 🥳 I *love* the bassoon and you took to it so well. Around here it’s called a ‘horse’s leg’

[@faramund9865]

Very jazzy. It's nice to see you can create the same chaos on a bassoon that I can create on the recorder.

[@timgough942]

I've always fancied giving bassoon a go and you inspired me to do it - a month later and just got a distinction for my Grade 1 too - whoop whoop!

[@Team_Recorder]

What really amazing!!!!! Huge congratulations!

[@InkByt3]

That's absolutely amazing! Many congrats!!

[@UkeofCarl]

Within the first few seconds, that guy comes across as a great teacher.

[@kharmaviv]

Congratulations! 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

[@therealzilch]

Bravo Sarah! Very impressive. This makes me wonder, not for the first time, how fast I could pick up bassoon. I've never played a modern one, but I have played bass shawm and curtal (dulzian, sort of a Renaissance bassoon), so I might have a bit of a head start. Well done as usual. Cheers from a fellow recorder player in Vienna, Scott

[@andyjones207]

Congratulations. Ace and inspiring.

[@carudatta]

I recently wrestled with myself whether I should learn to play oboe or saxophone, which I hadn't touched either of them ever before. The sax won, and I've been making noises on it for a week now, so the double reeds have to wait. That Bologne overture sounds really cute *thinking about what instrument it could be played on*

[@BardBarian22]

I really like how they approached you. Their feedback was wholesome and effective and less abrasive and elitist.

[@Necroblas]

I know what you mean by absolutely loving being a beginner. I might say that I'm somewhat addicted to that feeling since childhood. I changed instruments twice before settling on oboe and since then I've learned 5 new instruments to at least pop/rock/folk music level, while avoiding things like bassoon and saxophone, where my previous training would (reportedly) make it easier.

[@andreakirkby]

I'm just making the same transition - though on baroque bassoon. It's wonderful when the squeaking and buzzing suddenly becomes music, isn't it!

[@dartanov]

Congrat! 🌹🌹🌹

[@philipstapert3517]

Very cool! Are you going to continue with the bassoon? I am a recorder player who played bassoon in college. Now I'm thinking about getting back into it after many years. I'm really excited because today I have 2 bassoons coming for me to try! My goal is to play a bassoon on a few movements of the Rameau Dardanus suite with my baroque ensemble in our May concert. I'll play recorder on the rest. It's going to be super fun to switch from sopranino to bassoon in the middle of a movement!

[@musicalcomputernerd6474]

Thank you for your beginner tips. You also are the only bassoonist who sounds remotely like me on the bassoon. I’ve been told by my oboist music teacher that sounding good on an oboe is HARD AS HELL on a student reed. He suggested I start with a medium hard reed and I’ve done that with the bassoon too. I think they work ok. The idea is that a softer reed will close up on you and not work once you’ve developed a good embouchure and the soft reed also can make bad habits with embouchure.

[@BrettElpers-yr8zn]

i started bassoon last november so about 8 months and i am now playing Telemann Sonata in F minor for Bassoon.

[@williamlovering973]

I passed my ABRSM grade 5 guitar performance exam a few years ago, managed to do it without a teacher. I really enjoyed the experience and planning sitting the grade 5 theory exam soon so I can do the higher grades

[@Team_Recorder]

That's amazing, huge congrats!!!

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

Best compliments, bassoon is tough to "tame" 👏👏! Do you have now idea to use the bassoon together into recorder Ensembles? Its direct antecessor, the dulcian, was very popular as a either a bass for 8' "Grand-Jeu", or as a contrabass for the usual 4' Consort.

[@Team_Recorder]

Yes! I've never had the pleasure of playing a dulcian, but quite a lot of recorder players double on baroque bassoon or dulcian.

[@Murgoh]

I play saxophone (tenor and baritone) and this brought back memories from when I started some 15 years ago, all the squeaks.😁I would love to learn basson, it's such a beautiful sounding instrument, but they are so expensive.

[@artobindo]

complimenti now beside beeing an excellent recorderist/recorder player you can be defined a bassoonist as well, great achievement

[@GenWivern2]

Congratulations, Sarah! Double reeds are tricky blighters, aren't they? :-)

[@chentiangemalc]

i started cello 3 yrs ago at nearly 40 yo, well i have been studying through the graded books, currently on grade 4 book but also have tried pieces from grade 6-8, i'm planning to just take an exam for the higher grades when i'm ready (maybe between grade 6-8) the big challenge, having previously done grade 8 piano, is on cello i have a lot of knowledge on music already, and how I want to the piece to sound, and sight reading is relatively easy (once i got hold of the tenor clef) but perfecting the intonation and bow control is killer ... Planning to join local community orchestra soon, and while i could sight read the first page of music, trying to get the notes well intonated+a sweet desirable tone is hours and hours of practice for me...

[@Team_Recorder]

Souds amazing, good luck!

[@rebeccalaird4124]

Just watching a video about doing an exam made me nervous! I did Grade 1 piano and Grade 3 clarinet (in the same week!) and then refused to do any more. About to try and start learning soprano recorder again. Just waiting for my new recorder to arrive...

[@dariusprim]

I finally was able to fully practice bassoon. It was a little tricky after not touching a bassoon for two weeks. I do want to try bass recorder. In my opinion, it has an unique color to it.

[@williemacon30]

I like this instrument because it really does sound like you’re playing a saxophone I bet you Jon could play this if he wanted to

[@josequins9099]

The double reed is a whole other animal to a single reed mouthpiece.

[@Arthurax100]

I will move to the Netherlands in one year and I also want to begin the bassoon there (Pro Sax player here), so this video is a so good coincidence! Now I know how I will sound in the beginning xD

[@Team_Recorder]

Leuk, welkom straks!

[@FogyArts]

Is John able to play it?

[@Team_Recorder]

Oh, Jon can play anything. He waltzed into the room a few times and tooted out some tunes before laughing uproariously and flouncing off again... his job is to play lots of instruments all in one show so it doesn't surprise me!

[@marksadler4104]

This is brilliant, well done (I'm a self taught guitarist). Please post when you're brave enough to do the Scorcerer's apprentice

[@TudorOwen50s]

Good on you, Mark! I have a special admiration for the self taught.👏👏👏

[@marksadler4104]

@@TudorOwen50s I'm still learning, working out innovative techniques 😀 Also very fond of listening to other instruments and techniques. Sarah is really good as she looks at woodwind through the ages not just contemporary WITH their associated tuning eg Renaissance 432 Hz. Information like this inspires to look at my instrument, in this case a guitar and experiment.

[@kasunmaduwage2316]

Your effort shoud be appreciated ❤

[@cutechiangels]

So happy for you that you even got a distinction! 👏 👍😊 Basson is theeee instrument I wish I could play!! But, it's sooo expensive to get one. Renting it would be an option, only if I do have regular classes. I'm an amateur musician, and a semi-professional singer. So, I would need to put more work than you into it. For the moment it's on hold. Thx for sharing! 🙏🤗

[@Team_Recorder]

Yes, renting is definitely the way to go!

[@cutechiangels]

@@Team_Recorder Yes! It's very long, is it difficult for the finger placings? The tenor flute, recorder, is already quite a stretch.. I just love the Oboe, too! Have you tried one?

[@mickleb]

I'm so happy to see your channel thriving! I found you learning circular breathing for the yidaki (didgeridoo).l You really helped me out, it just clicked. I now have a trumpet, and a recorder. Love your content. Thank you!

[@lizziesmusicmaking]

I was wondering: did you find the fingerstretch for the bassoon to be more or less than for bass recorder? Tenor recorder? I can play bass recorder just fine, but tenor is a problem even with a bent headjoint and two keys on the bottom. Do you think I could physically play the bassoon?

[@toranshaw4029]

Congrats on passing. 🥳

[@jakewatson668]

Are you gonna keep on learning the bassoon or? But well done! You did so good 😁

[@giorgiolamborghini813]

With commitment and determination you can do anything! However, Sarah's path is certainly shorter, thanks to her theoretical and practical musical bases! I have never played the bassoon but I play one of its ancestors, the tenor dulciana (curtal) which is smaller than the modern bassoon.

[@Team_Recorder]

Yes! If you tried to teach me to throw a football or construct a brick wall it would be a much longer and messier path 😅

[@miarosie]

I looked on the website but only see ‘normal’ exam settings - no option to record and send in. Has it changed do you know? Just started the violin at 62. Self teaching as no local violin tutors would you believe. Have a fab chap to have online fiddle tuition with at some point in the near future though. 😮 i just looked again - its below the one i looked at, d’oh

[@MusicLover7545]

Well done! If you keep going with it, maybe try out some different ways of holding the horn :) I've been playing for years and find the basics of technique, finger placement, not holding stress in my neck and arms, etc. are INFINITELY easier with either a seat strap or leg rest than with my harness.

[@calcite_dragon]

I guess it was easier for me because I was switching from a tenor saxophone to the bassoon. I never had it squeak!

[@peterreece6547]

That big brother to the oboe I imagine the reed is as difficult to blow as the oboe is. My daughter plays oboe, sax and piano. Her first instrument was recorder in junior school but on getting into senior school went for oboe and sax her first music exam on the oboe she attained a grade 6 with distinction. She is 50 now, she still gets a nice sound from the oboe, to this day I cannot get note out of that double reed. I’ll stick to playing my 5 row button accordion far easier than those double reed instruments.😊

[@ariannagorbet2239]

My favorite low instrument

[@IndigoJo]

Just as you were about to open up the page where you revealed your results, it broke for an advert for a guy talking about saxophone mouthpieces and reeds. I guess bassoon parts don't sell as well. I had a brief go at learning the sax in junior school and noticed that the fingerings were familiar from having played the recorder. I didn't say this because I assumed recorders were thought of as a kids' instrument and saxes were for serious musicians. Did you notice any similarity in the fingerings? Also, do bassoonists have to make their own reeds, the way oboists do?

[@Team_Recorder]

Bassoonists do make their own reeds! Luckily I didn’t have to, Max at the Amsterdam Bassoon Centre gave me teo 😄 And I’m thrilled to hear the targeted ads in my channel are for saxophone reeds! (genuinely, music topics are great)

[@gerardvila4685]

Sarah, I find it very interesting that you chose the "bassiest" of all woodwind instruments. Could it be that you felt like a little more power and resonance compared to the estimable but soft-spoken bass recorders?

[@Team_Recorder]

I think so! Well, we wanted to go for a wind instrument I'd never even tried - so it had to be oboe or bassoon. And of course bassoon won out 😋

[@gblan]

Where does one purchase a bassoon? Why at the Bassoon Store of course.

[@meredith18352]

Well done, I just love the bassoon but I tried once and just couldn't reach the holes! I would also love the try the oboe despite the headache I got when I tried once for a week once. I would love to see you try a brass instrument next

[@Team_Recorder]

Oh I would LOVE to play horn

[@mjspice100]

Hi Sarah, I hope you get to see this. I am looking to try grade 1 descant recorder. My understanding is that the exam incorporates not just performance pieces but scales too. How does this work for the online exam? Would I have to show my scales too? (C Major, F Major and D Major)in legato as well? Arpeggios as well?

[@Team_Recorder]

Therr are two types of exam - ‘practical’ exams incorporate scales, aural tests etc, whereas ‘performance’ exams are just 4 pieces. Hope this helps!

[@williemacon30]

Good job Sarah

[@TheMuddyBird]

I have gone crazy this year!! I am a musician who has played the violin for 40 years and decided to buy an oboe last year passing grade 6 in 6 months! I caught the ‘double reed’ bug and bought a bassoon at the end of November and passed my grade 4 performance at the start of January 😱 (6 weeks) I now hope to sit my grade 6 before Easter 🤞

[@davidm1922]

That's cool. I have been a kazoo player for 75 years, bought a harpsichord six weeks ago and just passed my grade 15 exam.

[@Kiltem]

Hey Sarah! You're doing great on Bassoon! I was just looking around at things like ABRSM Exams and I was a bit confused. Am I expected to buy all the books with these songs in them that are on the syllabus? Is there any teaching involved with these exams or is it purely just an exam to see where you are?

[@Team_Recorder]

Good questions Trestan! It usually is the idea that you follow the exam syllabuses with a teacher. The performance exam I took is 'only' pieces - the 'practical grade' exams also include scales and arpeggios, aural tests, sight-reading, and studies. It's the idea that for a classical music education your should ideally be doing those with your teacher anyway, even if you choose to take the performance exam where those aspects aren't assessed. As for books, there will be lots of books that contain multiple 'grade' pieces, so you can buy a few and those will take you through many grades. Otherwise, you can often get music from your teacher. Hope this helps!

[@Kiltem]

@@Team_Recorder helps loads! Thank you so much! You’ll probably see more questions from me in the future. Absolutely loving recorder and all your videos.

[@rhynemusic4101]

Nice, I hope oboe is next.