Putting the reed on the bocal Place the reed on the bocal firmly and horizontally using the right thumb and index finger. Start on low F The low F is used to start because very little lip pressure is needed on that note from the bottom jaw and lip. The rule on the bassoon is this: The fewer fingers that are used to finger a note, the more support needed from the bottom lip and jaw. Starting on a low F will give some time for the bottom lip/jaw to develop for the notes that use less fingers. |
Proper finger placements
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Playing the low F
TROUBLESHOOTING
Unsupported sound on low F
The low F is lacking support from the bottom jaw and the
Unsupported sound on low F
The low F is lacking support from the bottom jaw and the
Causes of the problem
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Remedies
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Corrected - Uncorrected - Corrected example on low F
Causes of the problem
OK - lack of support - OK
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Remedies
None - Needs increased support - None
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Let's work our way up bassoon!