Should You Buy a New Bocal? | Understanding Bocals and How to Choose One for You

[@ginnyvanoskeuls315]

Natalie, I love your videos and have learned so much in my latest quest to learn bassoon. I am playing on a cheap King Artist bassoon. Very basic, it was in a pawn shop and my director friend bought it for her collection of instruments. I have been an oboe/ english horn player for the last 50 years. Since our music groups have gained more oboe players this year, I decided to play bassoon. I never could before since I was the only oboe. So I asked to borrow it and now I'm in bassoon land and love it. I cleaned up this sad bassoon , fixed some keys and pads & am now playing on it with a Heckel bocal that was in the case. It shocked me to see that expensive bocal. I do think it has been mistreated by past owners so I am wanting to get a new bocal. I want to get the low notes to respond better. I have some cool concerts coming up and am playing some good Halloween music. I'm going to get a Fox C2. I don't want to spend a lot since I'm just borrowing this instrument until my older sister gives me her Schreiber bassoon. She also has played for over 50 years. We both started in elementary school. She has retired and doesn't play much now. BTW, I played Beracuse and Finale for my debut concert after only 2 months of crash course of self instruction and KZbin. Go big or go home!

[@EstebanFonsecaAR]

Wish I could try a wooden bocal :D

[@MackSuperb]

Very helpful thanks!

[@ericklemm7430]

I had to replace 1 of my bocals with a cheap Chinese made bocal. I was very nervous and hesitant, but I can’t afford an expensive one. I’ve heard all kinds of bad things about Chinese made bocals …but it actually played better than the bocals my AMATI bassoon came with. I got it for around $38. It worked so well I purchased another one in a different length. If you don’t have lots of money give it a try. I’m really happy I did!!

[@BuildingaBassoonist]

Good to know! I'll have to check those bocals out. Where did you order from?

[@ericklemm7430]

@@BuildingaBassoonist I got them on EBAY. 😎. BTW …..I love all of your great bassoon tips. Very informative and you do a fantastic job of explaining everything!! Keep up the amazing work you do helping all of us amateur bassoonists.

[@crashcrawford9357]

Is there a reason you do not invert the bocal and put the reed end into the wing for walking transport? Seems to hold it solidly and I do not see any problem or risk...

[@omringosa59]

Very helpful I guess I luck this information,

[@davidcarroll9917]

Question: "How do you tune a bassoon?" Answer: "You can't." I finally met a conductor who knew that. I had another say "just pull something out somewhere."