STEP TWO: HOLDING THE INSTRUMENT
- Place the seat strap across the front of your chair and sit far back in the chair without leaning on the back of the chair.
- Hold the bassoon firmly with the thumb keys toward you, and attach the strap hook to the boot joint.
- Grasp the bocal just above the nib where the curve starts and insert it with either hand by pushing down into the tenor joint with a slight twist. Be careful not to damage the whisper key pad during this process.
- Adjust the strap while holding the bassoon firmly with the right hand and leaning slightly away from the back of the chair so that the bocal lines up with embouchure. Practice having good posture with an inwards curve to your lower back.
- Angle the bassoon to the left and adjust your music stand until you can look straight ahead while playing.
How high and what angle should the bocal be to the player?
The bocal and reed combination should sound a C concert more or less. Try moving the bocal up and down to get the optimal sound. When you find the correct pitch/sound, that is the angle the bassoon should be when playing.
POSTURE
When seated, you should be towards the back of the chair with the small of your back curved in towards your belly button. Relax your shoulders and bring the instrument to you.