Congratulations on making the switch to bassoon!
Switching from saxophone to bassoon like any instrument will have some similarities and some differences. With saxophone however, this is often one the of better instruments to come from. Regardless of which instrument you come from one consistent difference is the non anchor use of the right thumb on the bassoon. It is there to hold down keys and nothing more.
Qualities of a good bassoon prospect:
Similarities between saxophone 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 saxophone and bassoon:
- Both are woodwind instruments and require air to play
- Both are reed instruments.
- Embouchure size, however the bassoon is "double-lip" and the jaw position changes with different registers.
- There tends to be less problem with the low register because of the larger, more relaxed embouchure from the sax.
- The size and weight.
- Use of a neck strap or a seat strap.
- Both use a different but similar two hand fingering system that are related by a 5th. The left thumb key is an F for the bassoon and a C for the Sax with the second finger down.
Similarities to the bassoon |
Where your fingers go on the bassoon |
Familiarity through your Fingers
Saxophone |
Bassoon |
Differences between saxophone and bassoon
- The jaw pressure changes more on the bassoon to achieve different registers
- You will need to soak your reeds because double reeds won't moisten completely in the mouth.
- The bassoon plays in bass, tenor and sometimes treble clef.
- Fingers are widespread and require the ability to reach all keys and tone-holes.
- The right thumb is not an anchor point.