Congratulations on switching to bassoon!
Switching from flute to bassoon like any instrument will have some similarities and some differences. With flute however, there are many reasons why it would work beautifully. Regardless of which instrument you come from one consistent difference is the non anchor use of the right thumb on the bassoon. The right thumb is there to hold down keys and nothing more.
Qualities of a good bassoon prospect:
Similarities between flute and bassoon:
Qualities of a good bassoon prospect:
- A good ear for pitch
- Above average finger dexterity
- Happy to be different(individualistic)
- For the bassoon - big enough to handle the size/weight of the instrument and to reach the tone-holes.
Similarities between flute and bassoon:
- Both are woodwind instruments and require air to play and over blow the octaves.
- Both use a similar two hand fingering system. The left thumb key and index finger is a E for the bassoon and a B for the flute with the Eb key.
Similarities to the bassoon |
Where your fingers go on the bassoon |
Familiarity through your Fingers
While the fingering systems are not exactly the same they do have many fingerings in common. Those that are similar are separated by a fifth in pitch. Here are some of the examples of fingers you can relate to if you are going from the flute to the bassoon.
Differences between flute and oboe
- The air resistance level is much higher on the bassoon as the flute really has no back pressure except what is made with the embouchure.
- The embouchure is completely different because of the reed in the mouth.
- You need to purchase reeds which will wear out and break over time.
- The bassoon plays in bass, tenor and sometimes treble clef.
- The physical size of the instrument.
- Fingers are widespread and require the ability to reach all keys and tone-holes.
- The right thumb is not an anchor point