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

four-rrrrs

Inverse Relationships

Tone vs. Response

tone-vs-reponse-chart

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

life-cyclelg2