tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post9061997010735221082..comments2024-03-28T05:34:22.405-07:00Comments on Bassoon Blog: IntonationB.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08724883690591213622noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-26518915828956092552013-04-09T03:30:42.056-07:002013-04-09T03:30:42.056-07:00440 is the standard for my particular orchestra. ...440 is the standard for my particular orchestra. 442 is also fairly common, even in the U.S. So don't worry - you're fine!<br /><br />BetsyB.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08724883690591213622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-58481431076016126212013-04-08T21:19:18.277-07:002013-04-08T21:19:18.277-07:00Hey um does it have to be 440 for Bassoon
I do 44...Hey um does it have to be 440 for Bassoon <br />I do 442 am I WRONG??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-91978360595709590922012-10-21T19:08:41.738-07:002012-10-21T19:08:41.738-07:00Justin, any bassoon from any era can be out of tun...Justin, any bassoon from any era can be out of tune. It's extremely rare to find a bassoon with no intonation problems. (I've never played on one with no intonation issues!) Your bassoon probably does have issues, but that doesn't mean it can't be tweaked by a good repairman so that it plays better in tune. If I were you, I'd either use an electronic tuner or a keyboard to check the pitch of each note, and to see if your of tune notes can be coaxed with your embouchure to the right pitch. Every bassoon, even the best ones, need some of that embouchure tweaking. Just remember that no bassoon plays in tune by itself! And if there is a professional bassoonist nearby, you might ask him/her to test your instrument to see what they think of it. When I was first learning the bassoon (when I was your age) I used to practice the bassoon while sitting at the piano so that I could check the pitches of my bassoon notes. I think that helped a lot.<br /><br />BetsyB.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08724883690591213622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-86814371614428314492012-10-21T19:05:40.608-07:002012-10-21T19:05:40.608-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.B.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08724883690591213622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-40865639088336337942012-10-21T17:45:45.178-07:002012-10-21T17:45:45.178-07:00Hi Its me again. I'm playing on a 4000 series ...Hi Its me again. I'm playing on a 4000 series heckel(got it dirt cheap) with modern keywork added on. A lot of people say that pitch is all over the place with bassoons from that time period. What are your Thoughts on this??Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00483602205672337217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-62950565511365448822012-10-19T05:23:37.524-07:002012-10-19T05:23:37.524-07:00Thanks for your kind words, Justin. You are playi...Thanks for your kind words, Justin. You are playing very difficult repertoire at a very young age, and I wish you the best of luck. <br /><br />BetsyB.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08724883690591213622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-82337503733187765002012-10-18T20:33:14.178-07:002012-10-18T20:33:14.178-07:00Hello, I would like to first say that your blog ha...Hello, I would like to first say that your blog has been wonderful help. I'm an 8th grader playing bassoon(I've been playing for 2 years) and I am playing a bunch of difficult orchestral(I'm Principal) pieces such as Scheherazade and intonation was a huge problem, my director had commented many times that it sucks. when I read this post I felt reassured that I am not the only Bassoon Player in the world with this problem.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00483602205672337217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-4896718586042965642012-07-21T14:08:50.467-07:002012-07-21T14:08:50.467-07:00Well, it could be a short bore, but even if it is,...Well, it could be a short bore, but even if it is, that probably doesn't explain the good sound or the bad intonation, UNLESS your bocal is a really bad fit for the instrument. If I were you, I'd contact one of the companies which sells a lot of bocals, and ask them what their policy is for sending bocals for you to try. Neilsen, for example, gives advice on bocals based on your instrument, and Midwest Musical Imports would also, I'm sure. The number (length) of the bocal can affect the pitch. If you are often sharp, then you may wish to try a longer (higher numbered) bocal.<br /><br />Good luck!Betsyhttp://bassoonblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-25282333913639355682012-07-21T13:22:41.057-07:002012-07-21T13:22:41.057-07:00I have a 1930's CONN bassoon in what looks lik...I have a 1930's CONN bassoon in what looks like brand-New condition, I bought it from an army proffesional, and no matter what I do, the intonation ALWAYS finds a way to go anywhere but the center of the pitch. <br />However, its got a BEAUTIFUL tone in EVERY register and resonates spectacularly ANYWHERE on the tuner, which my teacher says makes it a one-of-a-kind, because no bassoon she's ever played does that. Recently she suggested that it could be a "Short" bore bassoon, and I was wandering...Does this sound like one?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-76835261445551918582010-09-01T13:52:33.190-07:002010-09-01T13:52:33.190-07:00I was so happy to come across this blog as I just ...I was so happy to come across this blog as I just picked up the bassoon after not playing steady for ten years! <br /><br />I played the bassoon in college (Bismarck,ND, actually) as an addition to the flute and absolutely loved the new and different challenges I faced as a bassoonist.<br /><br />I quit school back in 1999, but didn't have my own bassoon, so practicing and keeping in shape proved to be difficult; I only played when I could acquire the long lost (and forgotten) bassoon, in the depths of the locker area of the high school where my ex-husband worked.<br /><br />Now I'm back on the horse and am renting a bassoon (hoping to buy soon) with application to study at the Conservtoire here. It's been a joy (and a pain!) to rediscover what I loved so much about playing the bassoon. I had felt I was really going somewhere with it before quitting school and journeying up toward Canada.<br /><br />Tuning is such an issue. My former bassoon instructor made me a dozen or so reeds of different strengths and I've played around with the two different-sized bocals as well as the reeds, but I find that I can't just get my high end in tune!<br /><br />Of course, I am having to work through embouchure strength-building, to focus on the reed placement (and not biting it!), and recalling everything I ever learned to get me back on track.<br /><br />I'm supremely grateful to have been associated with (even for a short time) the greatest teachers who gave me a chassis of support, from which I could grow and always, always use to improve myself.<br /><br />Anyway, all this rambling to say thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for posting such useful, helpful information. I'll be checking back to keep up with the group.Amynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-78453729481882506732009-11-26T14:27:56.046-08:002009-11-26T14:27:56.046-08:00Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, T.B.Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, T.B.B.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08724883690591213622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-89972100309899049282009-11-26T13:28:15.718-08:002009-11-26T13:28:15.718-08:00Glad you like the pic. I accessorized myself ;)
H...Glad you like the pic. I accessorized myself ;)<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!Bsnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13560519539992644201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-85205742687625874052009-11-26T11:31:35.093-08:002009-11-26T11:31:35.093-08:00Franzen Shenanigans, I'm glad to hear that you...Franzen Shenanigans, I'm glad to hear that your tuner input works! <br /><br />I hope you're deeply immersed in your turkey coma by now. Happy Thanksgiving!B.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08724883690591213622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-10418826532942858742009-11-25T23:33:44.287-08:002009-11-25T23:33:44.287-08:00Another post with great suggestions! I am anxious ...Another post with great suggestions! I am anxious to practice "just tuning"...but alas, it's 11:30 pm so I don't think the neighbor's would appreciate it. I'll have to wait until the turkey coma has passed tomorrow. Enjoy your holiday!<br /><br />Oh, and the tuner input I had worked perfectly. Thanks again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-68431249512585743052009-11-24T19:35:16.081-08:002009-11-24T19:35:16.081-08:00Hah! I wouldn't use a tuner during performanc...Hah! I wouldn't use a tuner during performances- that would seem too much like cheating!<br /><br />The whole orchestra does indeed tune to 440, assuming that the oboe's "A" is at 440. However, not all orchestras tune to 440! Most, if not all, European orchestras tune higher, as do many U.S.orchestras like NY, Boston, Houston, LA to name a few.<br /><br />Good question about the harpist. A draft can cause problems , for sure.<br /><br />There is a lot of confusion about long vs. short bore bassoons. I have to assume that short bores play higher, but bassoons are so illogical that I wouldn't bank on that always being the case!<br /><br />I like your photo, BTW.B.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08724883690591213622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-46032903705004217442009-11-24T18:07:19.074-08:002009-11-24T18:07:19.074-08:00Maybe this is for another post, but I was recently...Maybe this is for another post, but I was recently reading about the construction of short and long bore bassoons. Do professional players tend to play only on one kind? Will a short bore bassoon typically play higher/lower than a long bore bassoon?Bsnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13560519539992644201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4115433326707838301.post-72114140132771738712009-11-24T18:01:48.797-08:002009-11-24T18:01:48.797-08:00I showed Andrew the pic and he said, "does sh...I showed Andrew the pic and he said, "does she use that during performances?" LOL...<br /><br />Is it a given that the whole orchestra tunes to A=440? Have you ever found yourself in a performance situation where the whole orchestra is climbing above 440? Or even just a section (not the bassoons, of course)? The tuner sure wouldn't help then!<br /><br />And what does the harpist do an hour into the concert when someone opens the backstage door?Bsnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13560519539992644201noreply@blogger.com