Are your reeds chronically sharp?
- Make sure that you are not using a “biting” embouchure.
- Finish your reeds, they are too heavy!
- Don’t play on cane that won’t hold the trim!
- Check trimmed reed length.
- Confirm your profile measurements.
- Instrument maintenance – leaks can cause intonation/resistance issues.
If your playing situation (new group/type of ensemble) or role (now playing second bassoon instead of first) has changed, consider these adjustments:
- Use a wider shape
- Make a shorter, deeper internal bevel
- Use a longer bocal (this change will affect tendency notes the most)
The material in this learning module comes from The Banana of Life: Peeling Away the Mysteries of Reed Making for the Bassoon by Rian Craypo and has been edited for clarity by Jessi Vandagriff. Please do not share or distribute this information to those not using the decision-based learning model. Used with permission.