My bassoon always plays DREADFULLY flat. I am half convinced it is the way I place the reed in my mouth, but even when I sit there and force my bottom lip to roll back and place the read in the centre, it can still be a semitone out and I use the sharpest crook that I own.

I was wondering what the possibilities are that it is the bassoon itself that it flat? It wasn't an expensive one it was about £950 and is a Chinese make.

If it is not the bassoon, what else could I be doing wrong?

NM

Hi. Your bassoon could be naturally flat- mine is really sharp (at times). Is it every single note or just some of the notes? My teacher is teaching me how to control tuning using the embrouchure.

Ceri

(edit: i have just realised that this post is full of waffle- sorry!)

You can control tuning with your embouchure, but you need to build up your embouchure strength so that it becomes flexible..if you see what I mean?

It's every note. My teacher is useless sometimes. He says, "It's flat" but never shows me what I am doing wrong and when we play ensembles, his method is to make the other instruments flat to come down to me.



I think I see what you mean. I can't expect to be able to do it straight away?

NM

I think to make you playing less flat, you tighten your embrouchure- does that make sense. Only do it slightly, though, otherwise you won't get a note.


You won't be able to do it straight away- it will take time.

Thanks . I'll give that one a go.

NM

Dear Natalie-Marie,

I have a Chinese bassoon and it is naturally flat as well. I haven't tried solving the problem because I always borrowed/rented a better instrument for exams and competitions. Your best bet would be to get a shorter crook. A semitone out sounds like a lot though -- have you tried letting a professional (or your teacher) playing your bassoon and see what pitch they would get out of your instrument?

I wouldn't recommend tightening your embouchure -- it is a bad habit and will strain you tremendously. It's definitely not the way to go.

I know people in continental Europe play considerably sharper. Perhaps you can get a crook and reeds from places like Germany and that might help. Or else you will be looking into getting a better instrument, or you will have to live with playing flat all the time.

Hope this helps.

Wai Kit
Have you come across Takeda bassoons? I'm thinking of buying one - a lot cheaper than Schrieber.

Hello,

I have never played nor seen a Takeda bassoon. I think there were discussions on them a while ago on this board.