Topic: Melodious bassoon studies for adult beginner

I'm looking for some advice on studies.

I started learning bassoon a couple of months ago using Weissenborn as my tutor book.  My teacher has been happy to let me search out other repertoire and I found the Gordon Jacobs Four Sketches and the Cinq Pièces Faciles by Claude-Henry Joubert which are perfect for my level - I can play the easier pieces while the harder ones are a challenge to work towards.

I'm interested in any recommendations on books of studies that are pitched at a similar sort of level but are more interesting than the exercises in Weissenborn.   

Many thanks,  Susan

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Re: Melodious bassoon studies for adult beginner

Hello Susan, There area lot of published bassoon studies. Here is a list to start with that I hope are still in print:

Ferling, W    48 Famous Studies for Bassoon, Op.31 arr. from the Oboe studies    Southern, 1968
Hawkins, A (ed)    Melodious & Progressive Studies, Bk.1    Southern
Milde, Ludwig (1849-1913)    25 Studies in Scales and Chords, Op.24    International, 1950
Concone, Giuseppe    The Singing Bassoon, Op.17-forty legato studies    Emerson Edition, 281, 1999

Very best wishes on your quest! Christopher Weait

Christopher Weait, Emeritus professor of bassoon, Ohio State
Bassoon Instructor, Capital University Conservatory of Music
Author of "Bassoon Strategies for the Next Level"
www.weaitmusic.com

Re: Melodious bassoon studies for adult beginner

Hi Susan

In the "Teaching Forum" of this site there are discussions about developmental repertoire and lists of suitably graded pieces along with ideas for an instructional programme for "developing" bassoonists.

Search for the <Topic: Bassoon Scheme Beginner to High School Graduate>

The statement, "More interesting than Weissenborn," varies with what I have found as the most valid and musical set of studies for any musical instrument. We are so lucky to have that resource.

The Method chapters have an amazing range of searching and musical etudes informed by a deep knowledge of the instrument and its repertoire.

The 50 Studies, that come with some editions of the Method, further challenge the player with real compositions of musical merit.

Of course there are many more pieces that can provide development, but I recall the admiration that William Waterhouse had for Julius Weissenborn, and regard one of the great moments of the Melbourne IDRS Conference, as that when Will presented his research on Weissenborn. I remarked at the time that on stage there, were the two most influential bassoonists in my career.

Do take a look at the "Teaching Forum" ... and keep coming back to Weissenborn at appropriate stages of your development. Best wishes and good bassooning.

Neville Forsythe
Christchurch New Zealand
Bassoonist / Teacher / Conductor

Re: Melodious bassoon studies for adult beginner

Thanks very much to you both.

I have ordered the Hawkins and Milde and will indeed keep working on Weissenborn - my edition doesn't have the studies included but I will look out for them.

Regards,  Susan

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Re: Melodious bassoon studies for adult beginner

Elsewhere on the Forum an announcement has been made about the publication of Douglas Spaniol's edition of the Weissenborn "Advanced Studies" by Accolade in Germany. Apparently, there are 60 studies, not 48 as previous versions printed. The new edition has placed the studies in the order that Weissenborn intended.

Christopher Weait, Emeritus professor of bassoon, Ohio State
Bassoon Instructor, Capital University Conservatory of Music
Author of "Bassoon Strategies for the Next Level"
www.weaitmusic.com