What are Your Biggest Problems?
Crossing the breaks
Slurs
- Up
- Down
- Across 2 registers
Pitch
- Uneven scale
- Matching with others
- False notes (sounds wrong)
- Unstable
Tone
- Tonal Projection
- Tonal Blending
- Soft Dynamics
- Stuffy notes
Tone distortion/Noise
- Spitty
- Attack kak
- Decay sizzle
- Croaking/split tone
- Reediness/Harsh
Articulation and finger coordination
- Single tonguing
- Double tonguing
The Four RRRRs
Inverse Relationships
Tone vs. Response
Norman Herzberg Quote
“I have found that a flat middle C can be more resonant than its proper intonation. Adopting the tone that produces the most resonance rather than its correct intonation is a fatal preference, and can lead to the habit of disregarding intonation in favor of “resonance.”
I know of a case where a fine bassoonist insists on playing his Bb in the middle register on the flat side because it “sounds better,” and he insists that others adjust to it.”
From dissertation “Norman Herzberg: an Icon of Bassoon Pedagogy” by Carol Loraine Cope-Lowe, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, 2008. Emphasis added by M.E.
Cane Variations
- Diameter
- Symmetry
- Wall thickness
- Hardness
- Resistance to twist
- Density
- Shrinkage/stability
- Surface anomalies
- Hygroscopicity (sinks)
- Growing climate and soil type (tone color)
- Graininess (VB’s)
- Lignification / woodiness
- Flex and recovery
- Cracks easily?
Reed from a Weed – Flavors from around the world
North America
- Oregon (North and South)
- California (Central and South)
- Arizona South
- Texas South
- Florida
Asia
- Chinese
Latin America
- Mexico North and throughout
- Guatemala
South America
- Argentina
Europe/Mediterranean
- Spain
- France
- Italy
- Greece
- Turkey
Australia
Some Cane Sources and Suppliers
- Alliaud
- Argendonax
- Baku
- Bonazza
- Cogolin Var
- Cote D’Azur
- Danzi
- Donati
- Glotin
- Golden Bamboo
- Gonzalez
- K.GE
- Ke-Xun
- Madame Ghys
- Marca
- Medir
- Neuranter
- Pisoni
- Prestini USA
- Rieger
- Rigotti
- Rouche
- Silvacane
- Vandoren
- Vic
Life Cycle of a Reed
