(Editor's note. The following explanation accompanied this excellently researched paper. "As a member of the IDRS for several years I thought the membership might find the enclosed bibliography of bassoon tutors interesting. I decided to undertake the project as I was unable to locate one done by anyone else." May I congratulate Monty Perkins for his excellent presentation and for a closing bibliography which in itself should prove a valuable source reference to many of our readers. I hope that William Waterhouse of London, who owns first edition copies of many early bassoon tutors, will send us a commentary on this listing.)
The subject of this listing is bassoon tutors from 1687 -1887. These two dates were chosen as marking the earliest known fingering chart and the publication of the Weissenborn Bassoon Method, which remains today after over ninety years the most widely used tutor. Special emphasis was placed on the period between 1780 and 1820 to facilitate research into the emergence of the German and French bassoon systems.
All annotations include a description where known and either the location of a copy of the tutor or the source of the citation. By "Langwill" is meant Lyndesay Langwill's The Bassoon and Contra Bassoon. "Warner" refers to Thomas E. Warner's An Annotated Bibliography of Woodwind Instruction Books. These two excellent works served as the starting point for this listing.
All sources researched for this compilation are listed in the bibliography. This work however, is intended to represent bassoon tutors only, and as such many articles and books containing information on the history of the bassoon, its use in the orchestra, solo literature, etc., have been, perhaps arbitrarily, omitted.
1687
Speer, Daniel. Grund-richtiger, kurz, leicht, und nothiger jetzt wol-vermehrter Unterricht der musicalischen Kunst. Ulm: 1687, 2nd ed. 1697.
Specifically Part III entitled "Allerhand Instrumenta greiffen und blasen lernen" contains fingering chart for two-keyed dulzian. Copy in Library of Congress.
1730
Musica Bellicosa. London: Walsh, 1730.
Contained fingering chart for four-keyed bassoon. Partial citation from Langwill, unlocated.
1731
Preller, Peter. The Modem Musick -Master or The Universal Musician. London: D. Wright, 1731.
Contains fingering chart for bassoon. Copy in Library of Congress.
1732
Majer, J.F.B.C. Music - Saal. Nurnberg: 1732, 2nd ed. 1741. b
Contains fingering chart for three-keyed bassoon, compass B to f#'.
Very bad sketch shows reversed keys on long and wing joint. Cited in Langwill, unlocated.
1738
Eisel, J P. Musicus autodidactus. Erfurt: J.M. Funck, 1738.
Contains fingering charts for four-keyed bassoon, compass Bb to e', and "Teutsche Bassoon" of the two-keyed dulzian type, compass C to f'. Copy in Newberry Library.
1751
Diderot and D'Alembert (eds.). Encyclopedie. Article "Basson de Hautbois", Vol. II. Paris: Briasson, 1751 - 65.
Contains tablature for four-keyed bassoon. Copy in Library of Congress and reprint available in many large libraries.
1754
The Compleat Tutor For the Bassoon. London: Henry Purcell, 1754.
Cited in Warner, unlocated.
1754
Minguet è Irol, Pablo. Reglas . . . de taner todos los instrumentos mejores, y mas usuales. Madrid: J. Ibarra, 1754.
General tutor for all instruments. Copy in Library of Congress.
1754
Purcell, Henry. The Muses Delight. Liverpool: Sadler, 1754. (Also London: H. Purcell, 1756.)
Contains English and Italien songs and instructions for many string and wind instruments including bassoon. Copy in National Library of Scotland.
1761
Garsault. Notionaire ou Memorial Raisonne de ce qu 'il y a d 'utile et d 'interessant. Paris: G. Desprez, 1761.
Pages 601 - 669 contain general instructions more descriptive than instructive, but with excellent and attractive illustrations. Copy in the Library of Congress.
c1765
Hotteterre, Jacques. Methode pour apprendre a'jouer en peu de terms de la flute. Paris: Bailleux, c 1765.
A later edition of the famous Principes de la Flute Traversiere, Paris: Ballard, 1707. It contains a fingering chart for the bassoon. Copy in the Library of Congress.
c1765
Bailleux, Antoine. Method par Mr. Hotteterre le Ramain. Nouvelle Edition Augmente'e des Principes de clarinet et du basson. Paris: Bailleux, c1765. Contains instructions for the five-keyed bassoon. Authorship credited by various scholars to both Bailleux and Hotteterre. Basically another edition of Hotteterre above. Copy in Library of Congress.
1784
Gehot, Joseph. The Complete Instructor ar Complete Instructions for Every Musical Instrument. London: Various editions, 1784 - 1840.
Incomplete citation in Langwill, unlocated.
c1788
Ozi, Etienne. Methode Nouvelle et Raisonee Pour Le Basson. Paris: Boyer, c1788, 2nd ed. Nadermann, 1800.
Not the first official tutor for the Paris Conservatory, but an earlier work. Copy in Paris Conservatory Library.
c1790
Complete Instructions for the Bassoon. London: Preston and Son. c1790.
Author unknown. Copies in British Museum and Library of Congress.
c1790
Cugnier, Pierre. Abhandlung uber den Fagott. c1790.
First appeared in translation in LaBorde, 1780. Incomplete citation in Warner, unlocated.
c1790
Gehot, Jean. Complete Instructions for the Bassoon. London: c1790.
Incomplete citation in Riley, unlocated. Possibly refers to Gehot, 1784.
1793
Vandenbroeck, O. Traite général de tous les Instruments a Vent. Paris: Boyer 1793, 2nd ed. Nadermann, 1818.
Copies in British Museum and Library of Congress.
1795
Muzijkaal Kunst Woordenboek. Amsterdam: J.V. Reeynvaan, 1795.
Contains fingering chart for two-keyed dulzian. Cited in Langwill, unlocated.
c1796
Blasius, M.F. Nouvelle Méthode pour le Basson. Paris: Leduc, c 1796.
Cited in Langwill and Riley, unlocated.
c1801
Gehot, Joseph. Complete Instructions For Every Musical Instrument. London: G. Goulding, c1801.
One of various editions of Gehot, 1784. Copy in New York Public Library.
1803
Ozi Etienne. Nouvelle Méthode de Basson. Paris: LeRoy, 1803.
Adopted on March 19, 1803, as official tutor of the Paris Conservatory. Not a revision of his 1787 work, but a whole new work. Copy in Paris Conservatory Library.
c1805
Complete Instructions for the Bassoon. London: William Dover, c1805. Cited in Langwill, unlocated.
c1806
Complete Instructions for the Bassoon or Fagotto. London: Goulding, c1806.
Method for four-keyed bassoon. Cited in Langwill, unlocated.
1807
Herrick, Joseph. The Instrumental Preceptor. Milford, N.H.: J. Herrick 1807.
General music tutor and instructions for several instruments. Pages 14-16 comprise instructions for the bassoon. Copy in Yale University Library.
1807
Holyoke, Samuel. The Instrumental Assistant. Exeter, N.H.: Ranlet and Norris, 1807.
Volume II contains instructions for the bassoon. Copy in Library of Congress.
1807
Shaw, O. For the Gentleman. A Favorite Selection of Instrumental Music Dedham: H. Mann, 1807.
Contains scale and fingering chart for bassoon. Copy in Newberry Library.
1810
Rees' Cyclopedia. Article "Scale of the Bassoon." London and Philadelphia: 1810- 1824.
Contains fingering chart for eight-keyed bassoon. Chart itself is dated 1807. Copy in Library of Congress.
1810
Froelich J. Vollständige theorisch - practische Musiklehre. Bonn: Simrock 1810 and 1811.
Part II contains fingering chart for bassoon. Copy in Library of Congress.
c1810
Eley, Charles. Tutor for the Bassoon. London: Goulding, c1810.
Cited in Baines and Langwill, unlocated.
c1810 Heral and Ozi. Petite Méthode de Basson. Paris: Marchands c1810. (Also Lyon: Arnaud, c1810.)
Copy in Paris Bibliotheque Nationale.
1813
Choron, Alexandre. Traite général des vozx et des instruments d'orchestra.Paris: Choron, 1813.
A revised and enlarged edition of Francoeur, 1772. Copy in the Library of Congress.
1816
Whitely, William. The Instrumental Preceptor. Utica, N.Y.: Seward and Williams, 1816.
Copies in Harvard University Library and Boston Public Library.
c1817
Fagottschule des Conservatorium in Paris. Leipzig: Breitkopf and Hartel, c1817.
Probably German edition of Ozi, 1803. Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Gamme avec 2 airs. Worms: Kreitner, c1817.
c1817
Gamme avec Leçons. Paris: Pleyel, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Gamme et Airs. Paris: Sieber, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Gamme et Première Etudes. Augsberg: Gombart, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Gamme pour le Basson. Paris: Carli, Janet, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Gebauer, F.R. Gamme suivie de 18 Petite Airs. Paris: Erard, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Ritter, Tonleiter des Fagotts. Berlin: Lischke, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Roeser, Gamme et 12 Duos. Paris: Nadermann, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Scala für dem Fagott. Vienna, Spahr, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Tabelle für dem Contrafagott. Amsterdam: Hummel, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Tabelle pour le Basson. Amsterdam: Hummel, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1817
Tablature du Basson. Offenberg: Andre, c1817.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
1819
Goodale, Ezekial. The Instrumental Director. Hallowell, Ma.: E. Goodale 1819.
General music and tutors for several instruments. Page 8 contains scale for "all the notes on the bassoon." Copy in the Newberry Library Hallowell Collection.
1820
Willig, George. Bassoon Instruction Book. Willig, 1820.
Cited in Wolfe as listed in J.R. Parker catalogue, unlocated.
1822
Gamme pour le Basson à 9 clefs. Mainz: Schott, 1822.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
1823
Almenraeder, Carl. Abhandlung über die Verbesserung des Fagotts, {franzosisch u. deutsch) nebst 2 Tabellen. Mainz: Schott, 1823.
Contained parallel columns of text in French and German. Copy in Brussels Conservatory Library.
c1825
Metodo breve con tavole e sonatine per fagotto. Milano: Bertuzzi, c1825.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1825
Methode de Basson. Paris: Meissonnier, c1825.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1825
Scala für dem Fagott. Vienna: Mechetti, c1825.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1825
Wood, George. Complete Instructions for the Alto Fagotto. London: Wood c1825.
The only known tutor for the alto bassoon. Copy in the British Museum.
1826
Gamme pour Basson russe (engl. od. russ Basshorn). Mainz: Schott, 1826.
Cited in Whistling, unlocated.
c1826
Blake, G.E. An Introduction to the Art of Playing the Bassoon. Philadelphia: c1826.
Copy in the Library of Congress.
c1828
Küffner, Joseph. Principes Elémentaires de la Musique et Gamme de Basson. Mainz: Schott c1828.
Copy in Paris Conservatory Library.
c1831
Küffner, Joseph. Schule für Fagott. Mainz: Schott, c1831.
Probably German edition of Kuffner, 1828. Cited in Rilev. unlocated.
c1832
Barr, Tutor. Paris: c1832.
Possibly Berr, 1836. Incomplete citation in Baines, unlocated.
c1832
Cokken, J.F.B. Nouvelle édition du Methode de Berr en deux parties. Paris: Gérard, c1832. (Also Paris: Leduc, n.d.) Copies in the Paris Conservatory Library.
1834
Schneider, W. Historisch Technische Beschreibung. 1834.
Incomplete citation in Langwill, unlocated.
1836
Berr, Frederic. Méthode complète de Basson. Paris: J. Meissonier, 1836.
Probably not the frst edition of this work. See Cokken, c1832, above. Copy in the Paris Conservatory Library.
1840
Neukirchner, W. Fagottschule. Leipzig: F. Hofmeister, 1840.
Copy in Paris Conservatory Library.
c1840
MacKintosh, George. New and Improved Bassoon Tutor. London: Z.T. Purday, c1840.
Copy in British Museum.
1840
Blumer, Méthode de Basson. Paris: Schonenberger, 1840.
Cited in Langwill, unlocated.
1841
Almenraeder, Carl. Fagottschule. Mainz: Schott, 1841.
Cited in Langwill and Baines, unlocated.
1842
Almenraeder, Carl. Die Kunst des Fagottblasens. Mainz: Schott 1842.
Probably the same (possibly a different printing) of Almenraeder, 1841 above. Cited in Warner, unlocated.
1844
Willent-Bordogni, J.B. Méthode complète pour le Basson. Paris: Troupenas1844. (Also Milan, Ricordi, 1884).
Copies of both editions in Paris Conservatory Library and British Museum.
1847
Jancourt, Eugene. Méthode theorique et practique pour le basson en 3 parties. Paris: G. Richault, 1847. (Also 2nd ed. 1869; 3rd ed. 1879.) C
opies in both the British Mueseum and Paris Conservatory Libraries.
c1850
Hofman, F.H. Fagott-Schule. Leipzig: Merseburger, c1850.
Cited in Langwill, unlocated.
c1850
Krakamp, Emanuele. Metodo per Fagotto. Naples: T. Cottrau, c1850.
Copy in Paris Conservatory Library.
1854
Cornette, V. Méthode de Basson. Paris: Colombier, 1854. (Also Paris: Gallet, 1854.)
Copy in Paris Conservatory Library.
c1870
Gebauer, F.R. Méthode pour Basson. c1870.
Incomplete citation in Langwill, unlocated. Possibly an expansion on Gebauer, 1817. Dated 1825 in Riley.
c1870
Orselli, Luigi. Metodo completo por Fagotto. c1870.
Incomplete citation in Langwill, unlocated.
c1875
Romero y Andia, Antonio. Metodo completo de Fagot. Madrid: c1875.
Incomplete citation in Langwill, unlocated.
c1880
Jancourt, Eugene. Grand Method for the Bassoon. London: J.R. LaFleur, c1850.
Copy in the Paris Conservatory Library. Many modern editions. Still widely used today.
1885
Langey, Otto. Practical Tutor for the Bassoon. London: Hawkes and Son, 1885.
Copy in British Museum. Many modern editions to present day. Still widely used.
1887
Weissenborn, Julius. Praktische Fagott-Schule. 1887.
Copy in British Museum. Many modern editions to present day. Still the standard tutor.
Abbey, Elizabeth. The Bassoon In the American Colonies and the United States to 1800. Michigan State University, In Progress. (Dissertation)
Adkins, Cecil and Alis Dickinson, eds. International Index of Dissertations and Musicological Works In Progress. Philadelphia: American Musicological Society and International Musicological Society. 1977.
Almenraeder, Carl. "Making Bassoon Reeds." Woodwind Magazine 5:8+ Jan - March 1953. Originally publishedln Caecilia, 1829.
Baines, Anthony. Woodwind Instruments and Their History. Revised Edition New York, WW Norton, 1963.
Bartlett, Loren. A Survey and Checklist of Representative Eighteenth Century Concertos and Sonatas for Bassoon. University of Iowa, 1961. (Dissertation)
Bednar, Jaroslav. "Czech Bassoon School." Hudebni nastroje IV/5 (1967).
Carse, Adam. Musical Wind Instruments. New York: Da Capo, 1965. (Reprint of 1939 edition.)
DaGrade, Marvin Donald. A Translation and Study of the Bassoon Section of Joseph Froelich's "Vollstandige theoretisch - practische Musiklehre" (1810 - 11) and a Performance Edition of His "Serenade for Flute, Clarinet, Viola, and Bassoon or Cello," Indiana University, 1970. (Dissertation)
Duckles, Vincent. Music Reference and Research Materials. New York: Free Press, 1974.
Fletcher, Richard. Music for Bassoon and Small String Ensemble ca. 1700-1825. University of Iowa, 1961. (Dissertation)
Gagne, J. "Le Basson de la Renaissance." Carnet Musicale n2:12 -15 Oct. 1971.
Gagne, J. "L'Origine du Fagot ou Basson." Carnet Musicale n1:7-9 June 1971.
Geiringer, Karl. Musical Instruments. New York: Oxford University Press, 1945.
Halfpenny, E. "The Earliest English Bassoon Tutor." Galpin Society Joumal n17:103-5 February 1964.
Halfpenny, E. "Early English Bassoon Fingerings." Galpin Society Journal n18: 127 March 1965.
Halfpenny, E. "The Evolution of the Bassoon in England 1750 - 1800." Galpin Society Journal n10:30 - 9 May 1957.
Halfpenny, E. "French and German Bassoons in London." Galpin Society Journal 21: 187 -9 March 1968.
Heckel, Wilhelm. Der Fagott. Leipzig: Heckel, 1931. (Revision of 1899 version)
Heyde, H. "Carl Almenraeder's Verdienst um das Fagott." ca.1700- 1825. Beitraege zur Musikwissenschraft 14: 225-30 n3 1972.
Hodges, Woodrow. A Biographical Dictionary of Bassoonists Born Between ca. 1650 and ca. 1810. University of Iowa. In Progress. (Dissertation)
International Inventory of Musical Sources (RISM). Ecrits imprimés concernant la musique. Munchen - Duisberg: G. Henle, 1964.
International Repertory of Music Literature. (RILM Abstracts). New York, 1967.
Jansen, W. "From the Life and Work of Bassoon Players of the Past." Crescendo Magazine 3:10+ September - November 1953; 4:5+ April - June 1954; winter 1954 - 55.
Klitz, Brian. Solo Sonatas, Trio Sonatas, and Duos for Bassoon Before 1750. University of North Carolina, 1961. (Dissertation)
Kohon, B. "The History and Musicology of the Bassoon." Woodwind Magazine 1:3 January 1949, 1:4 February 1949.
Kolneder, Walter. "Fagott, " MGG, III Kassel: Barenreiter, 1954. cols 1717-1731.
Krakamp, E. "The Boehm Bassoon." Woodwind Magazine 3:8-9 September 1950.
Kretzschmar, Florence, ed. The Music Index. Detroit: Information Service, 1949- 76.
Langwill, Lyndesay, (trans.). "The Bassoon." Journal of Musicology, Chicago: September 1940. Translation of Heckel's Der Fagott above.
Langwill, Lyndesay. "Bassoon" Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Fifth Edition. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1966. cols. 485-494.
Langwill, Lyndesay. The Bassoon and Contra Bassoon. New York: WW Norton, 1965.
Langwill, Lyndesay. "The Boehm Bassoon." Woodwind Magazine 3:12 January 1951.
Lehman, Paul Robert. The Harmonic Structure of the Tone of the Bassoon. University of Michigan, 1962. (Dissertation)
Library of Congress Subject Catalogues. New York: Rowan and Littlefield, 1955-59 and 1960-64.
Library of Congress National Union Catalogue: Music and Phonorecords. New York: Rowan and Littlefield, 1953-76.
Music Article Guide. Philadelphia, 1966-77.
Pezzi, Vincent. "Bassoon Bibliography." Woodwind Magazine 3:8 October 1950.
Riley, M. "A Tentative Bibliography of Early Wind Instrument Tutors. " Journal of Research In Music Education 6:14-16 Spring 1958.
Risdon, Howard. Musical Literature For the Bassoon. Seattle: Berdon, 1963.
Sachs, Curt. The History of Musical Instruments. New York: WW Norton, 1940.
Seidler, Richard. The Bassoon Concertos of Antonio Vivaldi. Catholic University, 1974. (Dissertation)
Sonneck, Oscar and W.T. Upton. A Bibliography of Early Secular American Music. New York: Da Capo, 1964. (Reprint of 1905 edition.)
Ventzke, K. "Boehm-System-Fagotte im 19. Jahrhundert." Tibia n1:13-18 1976.
Voight, Wolfgang. Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Klangfarbe des Fagottes und vergleichbarer histor. Instrumente. (Experimental Investigations of the Tone Color of the Bassoon and Comparable Historic Instruments.) Koln: 1974. (Dissertation)
Warner, Thomas. An Annotated Bibliography of Woodwind Instruction Books, 1600-1830. Detroit: Information Coordinators, 1967.
Warner, Thomas. Indications of Performance Practice in Woodwind Instruction Books of the 17th and 18th Centuries. New York University, 1964. (Dissertation)
Warner, Thomas. "Two Late 18th Century Instructions for Making Double Reeds." Galpin Society Journal n15:30-33 March 1962
Whistling, C.F. and F. Hofmeister. Handbuch der Musikalischen Litteratur. Leipzig: Meysel, 1817-27. (Reprinted by Garland, New York: 1975).
Whitwell, David. "Early Oboe and Bassoon Manuscripts in Vienna." Instrumentalist, October 1970. colt 41.
Whitwell, David. "Solo Wind Works in the British Museum." Instrumentalist 31:96 September 1976.
Wilkins, Wayne. Index of Bassoon Music Including the Index of Baroque Trio Sonatas. Magnolia, Arkansas: Music Register, 1976.
Wolfe, Richard. Secular Music In America 1801-1825. New York: New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations. 1964.