Features of the Bassoon
When choosing what instrument to play in the bassoon world, there are a number of design features that can effect the sound of the instrument. Here are some things to consider when choosing a bassoon:
Material
Plastic - A less expensive option, most "plastic" bassoons will usually be made of polypropylene (a thermoplastic polymer) or ebonite (generically knows as "hard rubber", and the same material as saxophone and clarinet mouthpieces). Both of these materials are durable and resistant to chemical solvents, bases, and acids. These factors make the plastic bassoon the ideal choice for a young student and for playing outdoors.
Wood - A medium-hardness maple, such as sycamore-maple or sugar-maple, is the preferred material for the bassoon. The finest bassoons are made from Bergahorn, German for "mountain maple," with Reigel-Bergahorn being the most sought after variety. The quality of a good wood adds to the overall richness in tone that is found on more expensive bassoons that use these rare woods. Although real wood lacks the durability of plastics, the improvement in tone quality makes these bassoons ideal for concert settings.
Wood - A medium-hardness maple, such as sycamore-maple or sugar-maple, is the preferred material for the bassoon. The finest bassoons are made from Bergahorn, German for "mountain maple," with Reigel-Bergahorn being the most sought after variety. The quality of a good wood adds to the overall richness in tone that is found on more expensive bassoons that use these rare woods. Although real wood lacks the durability of plastics, the improvement in tone quality makes these bassoons ideal for concert settings.
Bore
Long Bore - The oldest design, the slightly longer bore has good intonation, a more rounded sound, and superior blend, but tends to not have great projection. This makes it ideal for chamber or symphonic settings.
Short Bore - The slightly shorter bore gives these bassoons increased projection with a more open, singing tone. This make the short bore more suited for solo performance.
Thick Wall Bore - The newest bore design, the thick wall bore allows the tone holes to be drilled longer and larger for added resonance and power. This allows for improved intonation, greater projection, and an improved evenness of tone.
Short Bore - The slightly shorter bore gives these bassoons increased projection with a more open, singing tone. This make the short bore more suited for solo performance.
Thick Wall Bore - The newest bore design, the thick wall bore allows the tone holes to be drilled longer and larger for added resonance and power. This allows for improved intonation, greater projection, and an improved evenness of tone.
Bocal Materials
German Silver (soft) - Standard type of sound.
German Silver (hard) - Produces a harder, harsher sound.
Gold Brass - Mellow and quiet sound for chamber music.
Sterling Silver - Bright and quiet sound.
Gold - Mellow but direct sound. The higher the karat, the more mellow the tone.
Palladium - Very hard sound.
German Silver (hard) - Produces a harder, harsher sound.
Gold Brass - Mellow and quiet sound for chamber music.
Sterling Silver - Bright and quiet sound.
Gold - Mellow but direct sound. The higher the karat, the more mellow the tone.
Palladium - Very hard sound.
Bocal Wall
Thin Wall - Usually 0.5mm thick, the thin wall bocal offers a richer sound, good response, and more flexibility.
Thick Wall - Usually 0.6mm thick, the thick wall bocal tends to be more stable and has better intonation.
Thick Wall - Usually 0.6mm thick, the thick wall bocal tends to be more stable and has better intonation.
Bocal Plating
Unplated - Has the specific sound of the base metal.
Silver Plated - Sweeter, softer, warmer tone with versatile expressive capability.
Nickel Plated - Brighter sound, best used with brass bocals to add overall clarity and definition.
Gold Plated - Increased stability with gold brass bocals.
Hamilton Plated - An alloy of gold and nickel, it is extremely resisant to wear a discoloration, and delivers a powerful tone and excellent projection.
Silver Plated - Sweeter, softer, warmer tone with versatile expressive capability.
Nickel Plated - Brighter sound, best used with brass bocals to add overall clarity and definition.
Gold Plated - Increased stability with gold brass bocals.
Hamilton Plated - An alloy of gold and nickel, it is extremely resisant to wear a discoloration, and delivers a powerful tone and excellent projection.
Bocal Length
Bocal length simply adjust the overall tuning of the instrument. A number on the bocal will indicate the length and therefore the pitch it will produce. The number system on bocals will be different from different manufacturers. To produce A=440, a Fox bocal would have a #3 length, while a Heckel bocal would have #2.
Key Options
The following section refers to options for the Heckel (German) system bassoons, and not the Buffet (French) system. These are the key options that are not found on all bassoons:
High D Key - This is an expected standard key for a modern intermediate or professional bassoon. Useful for flicking and to hit note from C5 and up.
High E Key - Also known as the G trill key, this key facilitates the F3-G3 trill, and is used to play high E. TYpically this is positioned above the 1st finger on the left hand, but it can also be placed above the Eb key between the 1st and 2nd finger.
Plateau Key for Left Hand 3rd Finger - This option is usually reserved for student models, as it shortens the reach between the 2nd and 3rd fingers of the left hand, but it can hamper the tone or intonation of some notes. The "normal" configuration for this is the 3rd Finger Ring Key.
"Crown" Style Pancake Key - Changes the shape of the Low E key from a totally round shape to a more square shape to allow easier movement from the Bb or F# Keys to the Low E key.
A-Whisper Bridge - This simple mechanism links the A Key for the left thumb with the whisper key to help the pitch, stability, and response of A4 and Bb4.
Whisper Locks - There are many varieties of whisper lock mechanisms operated by the left or right thumb, but the purpose of all of them is to keep the whisper key closed.
Double Wide F# Key - Extends the F# Key across both the F and Ab Keys, allowing for easier movement between all of those keys.
Offset Eb/E Keys - This option moves the Eb Key so it is between the 2nd and 3rd fingers of the left hand, and moves the E Key so it is between the 1st and 2nd fingers.
High F Key - Used to create a simple fingering for high F, this key is placed based on the configuration of the high E Key.
Eb Trill Key - Used to facilitate the trill from D3-Eb3, this key can be placed between the 2nd and 3rd finger of the left hand, or on the boot joint above the 1st finger.
Ab/Bb Trill Key - Used to facilitate the trill from Ab2-Bb2, this key is typically placed on the boot joint above the F# and G# Keys for the right thumb.
Extra Low C Key - The low C Key is moved to the right of the low D Key to add more fluid motion from the lowest C-Bb without having to maneuver the thumb over the low B Key.
Pinky (or "French") Whisper Key - Closes the Whisper Key with the left hand 4th finger near the low Db/C# Key.
A Ring Key - Additional ring for the right hand 1st finger to allow an extra tone hole above the 1st finger to open automatically. This allows for Ab4 and A4 to be played with the low F key (right hand 4th finger) instead of the need for the G key (right hand 3rd finger) while maintaining proper pitch.
Db-Eb Mechanisms - Allow for easier movement between the lowest Db and Eb, this key allows the left thumb to operate the Db key, allowing the left hand 4th finger to trill on the Eb key.
Rollers - Rollers can be placed on nearly every key to allow for easier movement between adjacent keys. Besides the standard four rollers for the two pinky keys, rollers are commonly found on any combination of right thumb keys, the front F# key, low C and D keys, the whisper key, and C# keys.
High D Key - This is an expected standard key for a modern intermediate or professional bassoon. Useful for flicking and to hit note from C5 and up.
High E Key - Also known as the G trill key, this key facilitates the F3-G3 trill, and is used to play high E. TYpically this is positioned above the 1st finger on the left hand, but it can also be placed above the Eb key between the 1st and 2nd finger.
Plateau Key for Left Hand 3rd Finger - This option is usually reserved for student models, as it shortens the reach between the 2nd and 3rd fingers of the left hand, but it can hamper the tone or intonation of some notes. The "normal" configuration for this is the 3rd Finger Ring Key.
"Crown" Style Pancake Key - Changes the shape of the Low E key from a totally round shape to a more square shape to allow easier movement from the Bb or F# Keys to the Low E key.
A-Whisper Bridge - This simple mechanism links the A Key for the left thumb with the whisper key to help the pitch, stability, and response of A4 and Bb4.
Whisper Locks - There are many varieties of whisper lock mechanisms operated by the left or right thumb, but the purpose of all of them is to keep the whisper key closed.
Double Wide F# Key - Extends the F# Key across both the F and Ab Keys, allowing for easier movement between all of those keys.
Offset Eb/E Keys - This option moves the Eb Key so it is between the 2nd and 3rd fingers of the left hand, and moves the E Key so it is between the 1st and 2nd fingers.
High F Key - Used to create a simple fingering for high F, this key is placed based on the configuration of the high E Key.
Eb Trill Key - Used to facilitate the trill from D3-Eb3, this key can be placed between the 2nd and 3rd finger of the left hand, or on the boot joint above the 1st finger.
Ab/Bb Trill Key - Used to facilitate the trill from Ab2-Bb2, this key is typically placed on the boot joint above the F# and G# Keys for the right thumb.
Extra Low C Key - The low C Key is moved to the right of the low D Key to add more fluid motion from the lowest C-Bb without having to maneuver the thumb over the low B Key.
Pinky (or "French") Whisper Key - Closes the Whisper Key with the left hand 4th finger near the low Db/C# Key.
A Ring Key - Additional ring for the right hand 1st finger to allow an extra tone hole above the 1st finger to open automatically. This allows for Ab4 and A4 to be played with the low F key (right hand 4th finger) instead of the need for the G key (right hand 3rd finger) while maintaining proper pitch.
Db-Eb Mechanisms - Allow for easier movement between the lowest Db and Eb, this key allows the left thumb to operate the Db key, allowing the left hand 4th finger to trill on the Eb key.
Rollers - Rollers can be placed on nearly every key to allow for easier movement between adjacent keys. Besides the standard four rollers for the two pinky keys, rollers are commonly found on any combination of right thumb keys, the front F# key, low C and D keys, the whisper key, and C# keys.