The BYMT Blog

23 January 2012

The Bassoon

Written by Mr Chiswell

The Bassoon is a member of the Woodwind family, and is closely related to the Oboe. Like the oboe, the sound is produced by blowing a double reed which on the Bassoon fits onto the crook.

The Bassoon is a versatile instrument, and has a large note range. It can sound not only sonorous and playful, but also very expressive, especially in its middle and high register. The extract in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” shows the Bassoon in its playful side, whilst the opening of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” displays its more plaintive, expressive side.

Players as young as 8 years old can start on the mini Bassoon, and usually by the age of 10-11, are big enough to move onto the full sized instrument.

As an endangered species, the Bassoonist will always be in great demand!

Try Out Day September 2011