Bassoon Buyer's Guide

featuring

Fox Model II Bassoon

Student Bassoons:
Student bassoons are designed for the beginner and meant to provide an excellent start for the first years of playing. They typically only feature the essential keys needed for learning the bassoon, and a few are made to a smaller scale in order to accommodate small hands. Student bassoons are made with durable plastic bodies that will hold up to the rough use of student bassoonists.

Intermediate Bassoons:
Once a student is established and has learned the fundamentals of good playing, it is important to purchase a bassoon that will continue his or her musical growth. Intermediate bassoons are made of plastic or maple, which has a warm, resonant quality to the sound. Bassoons made for the intermediate musician typically feature the full German key system, but without the custom keys found on professional bassoons.

Professional Bassoons:
Designed and constructed with the professional musician in mind, professional bassoons also find favor among college students. While plastic is still used on a few entry-level professional instruments, maple is the material of choice for most professionals. A full German key system is typically used, but several custom keys can be added or adjusted for comfort and ease.

Artist:
Hand-crafted and true artist quality. Recommended Artisan Bassoons

Plastic:
Used for bassoons at all levels, plastic is durable and not affected by humidity or temperature. This makes a good, tough instrument for beginners and outdoor concerts. Plastic also keeps the bassoon affordable relative to bassoons made of maple.

Maple:
Maple is the wood of choice for making fine bassoons. The sound is more resonant than that of plastic.

Long Bore:
Offers a rounder sound that blends well. Perfect for chamber and symphonic playing.

Short Bore:
Offers a more open and singing sound. Excellent for solo bassoon playing.

Whisper Key:
The whisper key is found at the lower end of the upper row of left thumb keys. The key is used as a vent for notes in the lower middle register and allows them to speak at softer dynamic levels.

Whisper Key Lock:
Keeps the whisper key engaged when finger is not on the whisper key.

High D Key:
Facilitates the comfort and response of high D.

High E Key:
Facilitates the comfort and response of high E.

In choosing a bassoon, you need to consider your musician's age and skill level, and the kind of use (school band, marching band, orchestral, etc.) to which they will put their instrument. If for school, consulting with the band teacher is a good idea.

Whatever bassoon you select, The Woodwind & Brasswind's 100% Satisfaction Guarantee means you have 45 days to be sure it's the right instrument for you. If it's not, just return it for a full refund.* And neither do you need to worry about paying too much. Our 45-Day Lowest Price Guarantee means that if you find the same bassoon advertised for less elsewhere, we'll make up the difference. When you buy a woodwind instrument from The Woodwind & Brasswind, you can buy with complete confidence.

*All returned instruments priced over $3,000.00 are assessed a $20.00 fee. All bows are assessed a $4.00 return fee.