So, I (was) a classically trained player growing up and unfortunately gave it up in my mid 29’s bc of my real world career.

I want to start playing again, bought a (new to me) bassoon - but here’s the issue….. I have since (due to medical issues) had to have all my teeth removed and now wear snap in dentures. I’m struggling SO BAD with my embouchure…. Which I realize is in part bc of how long it’s been since I’ve played - but I recognize that about 80% of it is my physical mouth/lips/“teeth”. I have tried playing with them out and it’s a BIT easier but the articulation just isn’t there.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Tips/suggestions…..

Thanks for any advice in advance!

Hi there, I’m a bassoonist from the suburbs of Chicago, and I wanna know if it is worth it to audition for NYO. I have been principal bassoonist of my youth orchestra for 3 years and was assistant principal of the ILMEA Honors All State Orchestra. These are some of the major works I have played:
The Five Sacred trees
Firebird suite(1919)
Rhapsody in blue
Bartok concerto for orchestra
Carmina Burana
Symphony No. 9 by Shostakovich
Blue cathedral
Concerto in E minor
Mozart Conceto in B flat
Weber concerto
Pictures at an exhibition
Saint saen sonata
Ibert woodwind quintet
Hindemith woodwind quintet
Aires tropicales by Paquito D’Rivera
Weber andante e rondo ungarese

If it doesn’t sound like I can get in please tell me! I don’t want to get my hopes up!

My professor suggested me this horn. I‘m looking for purchasing a pro-level instrument. I love the sound of it, but intonation is very wonky. I remember very flat G2-Bb2 register, low A3-C4 even venting all of them, and very sharp D4 (all the fingerings).

 I have Heckel CC1, CC2 modern vocals, also CC3 very old one and Walter CC2 bocal. The intonation remains the same despite the bocal change, mb the CC3 made it even worse. CC1 was the best, but results were as I described previously. 
it’s been overhauled recently by an excellent bassoon technician.

Can it be just unlucky bassoon?

I do audio work for a small indie game studio, and a fun way to insert all the dev team into the project was by making us into npc's. I asked our artist to make my npc play bassoon, and since I do the audio, I recorded a few quick excerpts that plays when you walk past my character.

I was curious if anybody knew of other games or tv shows or anything else in main stream media where bassoon is shown or referenced? I feel like its an under represented instrument, and I can't think of any other times I've seen bassoon represented outside of music related communities.

also, for anyone who is curious, the game is called Delivery Issues and you can play the demo on steam for free.

Theoretically speaking (I know it's impossible to say without playing the specific instruments), would you prefer to play on quite an old (pre-WWII) Heckel with no rollers, no whisper key lock, etc., or on a Fox Model I that has every roller known to man? The Fox has a Heckel bocal which suits it well. Thinking of a potential trial for an upgrade but I don't want to sidegrade or downgrade by accident, and even trialing is a significant expense right now.

ETA: Thanks everyone for the thoughtful and detailed responses! Lots of things I wouldn't necessarily have thought of. Since I already own the Fox Model I, I'll probably stick to it since the Heckel is very early (4000s). Looks like I need to learn more about which series numbers of which bassoons are better or worse!

Hello! I have the chance to play a short bit on the opening ceremony for a local culture festival. There is though no pianist available and it is in a little over a month. There is not much time plus I’m on an intermediate level so not too difficult I would really prefer, as most solo pieces seem to be. Any reccomendations?

Going into college and looking for somewhat affordable bassoons

Hello! I'm a senior in HS and I've been playing bassoon since I was a freshman and bassoon is something I want to pursue after highschool so I decided to take up learning the art of reed making because 1 it will arguably save me money and 2 it is very useful and honestly a needed skill for most bassoonists. So I bought all of the things I thought I needed to start making reeds, I have everything to cut shape file measure and finish cane/my reeds but I have NOTHING to gouge my cane with (I bought tube cane first cause I'm a bit of an idiot). I saw some tutorials online for hand gouging cane but I know that's not going to work for me and my hyper mobile hands in the long run so I'm wondering if there is a gouging machine that's not horrible quality and doesn't cost a ridiculous amount of money available somewhere out there.... Although I doubt that tool exists I thought it could be worth it to ask!

23m USA here for context. Has anybody here had an adult tonsillectomy? What did that recovery process look like for you in terms of playing? I don't play very often these days, but I'm semi-professional out of college, about to get back into playing more often in the spring with community ensembles.

Slightly vent-y post (haha get it), so I'll make it a short one.

Why did I have to choose the damn bassoon out of all the instruments in the world?

Could've chosen ANYTHING else, but nope! Had to pick the silliest, most contradictory, half hole-y mess of a tube there is!

Seriously though, I love bassoon more than anything, but dear god if my dyspraxia does not make it an absolute bitch to deal with sometimes.

Whenever I see Eb into C# I close my eyes and know I'm going to be in for a whale of a time.

Or I could just practice my scales 🤷‍♂️

If you have crochet/kniting skills here is your sign to make a sweater for your bocal

A little bit early for christmas but who cares 🎅🎄

I was taking my bassoon out of its case and a needle spring got caught on my shirt. When it got caught it looks like it pulled out the needle spring to assist the g key’s position. However, when I push the spring back into place the key will stay shut. Did I just bend it out of place or what could be going on with it? I’m taking it in for repairs anyway but I’m more curious what is going on with this spring.

I’ve been practicing and have a few easier songs/parts down but would LOVE advice

What do I have to know, and how and where do I look if I wanna buy a good (used ofc) bassoon. Intermediate-professional model.
Budget is like 6-9k
Any brand/model recs??
The one I have rn is my school bassoon I think the brand is like moenning bros or smth. it’s like ok it has good keywork but it’s jst pretty old and like one time I played on an actual rly good bassoon and idk how to explain it but like everything jst sounded overall better. And I wanna have my own instrument too

I'm a first year university performance student looking to buy a used instrument

Here are the things I know about them, pls help me decide

They pretty much have the same keywork, so thats not a real factor

Both were recently overhauled and are in excellent condition

I've heard both of them being played through a video call and they tbh couldn't tell the difference cause the audio quality wasn't the best, except the player told me the Moosmann sounded a little brighter

Fox 220 (11000$CAD)

Original owner bought in 2006 (Not so sure about the built date)

Original case (seller is willing to switch to another case with a backpack strap if I want to)

Bocals *CVX* #2 and #3

Moosmann M24 (9000$CAD)

Built in 2014

Schreiber case for some reason

Bocal that came with it (not sure about the model)

Fox #2 bocal (seller included cause the other bocal "is not that good and this one is a better fit")

If I were to try them I would have to travel there. and that would be an extra 1000$+

They are both from the same seller btw

Pls help me choose

So today I had rehearsal, and while I was setting up, the little lock and a spring came off of the bass joint.

At first I (foolishly) didn't think much of it, and after rehearsal when I was putting it away, a little metal piece fell out of the tenor joint.

When I got home I tried seeing if I could fix it, but I can't, so I come here to ask if it's an easy fix that can be done at home, or if I should talk to my band director about it.

Thank you for any advice

Hi guys

I havent played my bassoon in years and quit lessons at least 5 years ago

It definitely needs a service before being sold and a look over to check for repairs but didnt know the easiest way to sell?

I sent an email enquiry to Howarth London as i bought through them but they said they arent accepting second hand bassoons at the moment

And advice on easy ways to sell around london / south of england? Partner suggested just listing on ebay but im unsure of that!

Thanks 😊

I just recently joined multiple bands and am joining another soon, but i only get 1 reed per 2 weeks, and i have to practice for 30 mins every day. Do you guys have any tips for increasing reed life length?