We play the Bassoon!.. wait, first a couple things to cover.
Holding the Bassoon
I will try to explain this part quickly because i can tell you want to get to playing. Garfield may be standing, but is otherwise a good model.
- Sit on the seat strap and attach the bottom of the bassoon to it. Sit Straight!
- Position the bassoon so it is 45-degrees across the body and perpendicular to the floor
- position the bocal so it is parallel to the ground and pointing at your mouth
- pull seat strap as needed to accommodate bocal/mouth connection
- the left hand should cover the top holes, with the thumb resting around the multitude of keys in the back
- the right hand will cover the lower holes and the lower of the 2 similar long keys, with the thumb resting around the keys behind that
Holding the Bassoon: FACE STYLE
- The Reed contacts only the lips when making a sound; no teeth should be involved
- The reed should be roughly parallel to the ground
- A slight overbite of the jaw should be used, meaning the upper lip is further on the reed than the lower
- The chin should be pulled down in a yawning position to allow a very open chamber inside the mouth for resonance
- Tight corners; dont pinch!
