If the short reach bassoon we are looking at does not have a R.H. B flat key does that mean one cannot play B flat on the bassoon?

No!

I'm not familiar with the details, but it will definitely be possible to play a Bb. The key-work on a short reach instrument is slightly modified to make it easier for a child to play (or adult with very small hands). It may be an extra trill key that is omitted? I'm sure a bassoonist will be along to reassure you shortly....

My (well, the music service's!) 'ordinary' bassoon has two RH Bb keys - one for the thumb, above the E pad, and one as a trill fingering for the ring finger. I assume you are referring to this trill one being omitted, in which case it doesn't really matter.

Why are you looking at a short reach bassoon? I thought the little nitwit was quite a big little nitwit? I was told not to look at short reach bassoons as my 11 year old daughter is currently playing on a full sized one. The advice I was given was that as soon as they could cope they should move onto a normal bassoon and that a short reach was only ever a temporary measure.

I too was of the thinking that if he has been playing on a standard bassoon wouldn't it be a step backwards, but after chatting to his teacher we feel it can only be advantagous. As he progresses, more is expected of him and he may be a tall chap but he still has children's fingers. Why go into an exam disadvantaged when another player may have a short-reach and be able to play the scales faster and the pieces with more ease. The current disadvantages will be the lack of trill key as he will have to make is finger move faster and the fact that it may take him a couple of weeks to adjust. In the longer term I feel it will be better for his finger joints and I wish I had been made aware of S-R bassoons before this point. The guy at Howarths felt he could get to grade 6 on this instrument. The intention is G5 in December now and I'm not sure of how big the jump is from 5 to 6 but as he has been covering two grades a year so far he may only be on a S-R for two years.

This is what it says about the bassoon:


wing thumb key touches extended to reduce the reach for the left thumb

key touches for Eb & C# on long joint repositioned for greater comfort

no Bb for R/H 3rd Finger, to reduce the spread of R/Hand fingers [b]
4 rollers

lined finger holes

the bore is lined in the wing joint and both sides of the boot joint for extra protection

1 crook - length 1 or 2

How confusing, total opposite of what I was told.

When she was about to start I was looking for a short reach, and couldn't find one anywhere. Now I've been told to avoid them there seem to be plenty available. Isn't that always the way! When she had her introductory meeting with her teacher they compared hand sizes. Teacher is a fairly small lady and the difference in hand size between them was minimal, so I was happy to follow the advice I had been given. (Maybe playing the piano has stretched her hands, but on her grade 6 pieces she is still limited to choose the ones that don't expect chords of an octave or more )

DS did a short spell on a tenaroon and then moved school and they only had full size. This was far better than the tenaroon. His teacher plays the contra as well and he actively suggested the S-R eventhough he has nearly been on a standard for two years. Time will tell, I suppose...