Should I play bassoon? ?

Question

I've played Violin for four years and I have some very (very) basic experience with wind and brass instruments, next year I will have extra time to take band in my school as well as orchestra, if I start practicing bassoon now I will have about 27 weeks to learn bassoon before I join, is this a good idea? What is the learning curve on bassoon? Is it really as hard as they say it is?

Also I should mention that I want to major in music when I go to university, or a conservatory, will this be a waste of time?

Answer 1

I would reccomend playing the trumpet trombone or baritone personally. My schools Drum Major plays Baritone.

Answer 2

I played the bassoon for a little over a year.  My experience before that consisted of the sax and clarinet so the transition for me wasn't too difficult.  The biggest adjustment was the amount of air required to hold a steady consistent note for an instrument that size.  Keeping a proper embouchure was difficult because of the double reed.  The fingering was tricky too after being used to smaller instruments.

Answer 3

I think adding more intrusments if you are to going to major in music. Do you then want to teach music? If so then that would be very beneficial.

How much etxra time do you have to practice a second instrument.

I payed clarinet (not well mind you) wich is kind of similar, but I think the hardest part was getting my chops in shape. One good way to help build your chops when you can't be playing is to hold a long pencil up against your teeth and keep it straight out as long as possible using only your lips.

Answer 4

Well, you already have a basic understanding of music, so that is a good start!

Bassoon though, will be a whole different beast for you... you will have to learn breath support and control, the embouchure (position of the lips, tongue, jaw, and throat), an entirely new way to use your fingers, and how to read different clefs (bassoon is written in treble, tenor, AND bass clef)! Whew!

All that being said, I think 27 weeks would be enough to get you started on the basics... it is more than 6 months, after all!  This would most likely require a great deal of CONSISTANT practice... just 30 minutes a day, but EVERY day.  The learning curve is up to you by  how much time and practice you put into learning, but try to stay away from marathon practicing- it can do more harm than good.

Get yourself a good beginner book (like the Rubank Elementary Method or Essential Elements), and remember to just play a lot of long tones at first.  Your fingers will come (actually on bassoon it's mostly thumbs!), but you have to be able to support the airflow... breath support allows for better articulation, dynamics and phrasing, intonation, tone quality, and overall melodic playing.  

Yes... it IS hard to start... but see if you can take a lesson or two, from a pro or even a friend.  A lot of the trouble that people have when starting is a) getting a sound out of the double reed, b) figuring out the adjustment of the strap (making sure the reed reaches them and they aren't bending funny to reach it), c) how to articulate on a double reed, and d) what exactly all those thumb keys do!  Even someone who has been playing for a year is ahead of you, so see if you can talk to someone about the basics... the rest, for the most part, you can learn on your own UNTIL you get to university level.  The biggest thing is that since you have limited experience with winds, you want to make sure you're not teaching yourself bad habits to start with- just try for a lesson or two.

You will find that starting is hard, but after you get the momentum down, it gets much easier... like any instrument.

As far as the university aspect: this will help you on a couple different levels... you will have to take theory, and having the exposure to the different clefs will work in your favor.  Also, being used to listening for different timbres and where your part fits (especially compared to the violin parts), different rhythms, etc. will allow you to analyze faster and more thoroughly.

If you are planning on teaching, you will have to become proficient on ALL the instruments- and if you can play both violin and bassoon, I would say you are a step ahead!  If you're not planning on being a Music Ed major, you may still have to take a basic woodwind course... it depends on the program.

The other benefit is that as a violinist, you have to be the best of the best to get anywhere- there is SO much competition!  I don't know of ANY bassoon player that has trouble getting work... there is a VERY high demand and very few proficient players.  If you can become a good bassoon player, orchestras, musicals and operas, schools, chamber groups, and any symphonic group you can imagine will always be glad to have you play- and you can charge pretty much what you'd like!

Anyways, sorry for the book, but I hope it was helpful! :)