News & Events
Bassoon NewsThis page is for odd bits and pieces of information that you might find useful. Feel free to send me bits that you think should feature here. Why music "If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not believe in trying to say it in music." Big Double Reed Day Following the huge success of the The Big Bassoon Day held at the Guildhall School of Music on 14th February 2009, an even bigger event is now scheduled for 10th October 2010 for bassoons AND oboes - The Big Double Reed Day! I will be posting more information and links to the website over the next few weeks. . Alexander Technique I have been doing Alexander Technique since the beginning of 2009 and was recently asked for some feedback on my results. Having read what I wrote I decided it needed a slot on my site too! Last year I was experiencing a great deal of discomfort playing the bassoon and contra bassoon. I ended up going for some physio to help correct this but it only made matters worse. I met another bassoonist, Fiona Bryan, on a gig and commented on her great posture and said "ah Alexander Technique". When she told me she taught it I immediately asked for a lesson. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew I should return to Alexander Technique as I had seen it work on others and had a brief attempt to get lessons whilst I was studying at the Guildhall! (In those days it was only the string players who got this as part of their course.. times have changed). After the initial frustration of wanting instant results and Fiona pointing out that years of habit are not undone in five minutes I settled down into a routine of using AT to make changes. I found that keeping regular lessons and sessions made a huge difference as big gaps in between just led to old habits slipping in. However, a year down the line I can see a big difference in my general posture and more importantly I don't HURT all the time! If my back or muscles become painful I know I can control this and take the time to use the techniques to get me back on track. I had wanted something where I could do all the work and not go to someone to "treat" or "adjust me" and most of the work in Alexander Technique is indeed on your own. However, my concept of being able to do it all myself was only partially correct as the hands on work from someone trained is essential and makes all the difference between success or failure and has yielded much faster results. As there are immediate benefits and long term improvements to be had I continue to work on using more and more of what I have been learning. And this of course is starting to pay dividends with my breathing and posture when playing. And nobody seems to mind me lying on the floor with a book under my head before a gig as long as I don't clutter up the corridor too much... I can't stress enough just how vital learning this technique is for any performer as we all put our bodies through twists and contortions to play/sing/dance or whatever. But of course it applies just as much for anyone in any walk of life as good posture and freedom from back pain makes life a lot more fun! For those in London Fiona Bryan teaches from home and can be found at There is also a great book by Carolyn Nicholls that you can get called "Body Breath and Being" which covers the fundamentals really well. Bassoon Crook Search Last year I changed from playing my ancient pre war bassoon to a Heckel post war instrument. I am therefore no longer actively searching for pre war crooks to match but have been happy to receive so many emails from around the world with suggestions and ideas. I have settled down on a Leitzinger MD1 V, a post war Heckel CC1 and a Leitzinger S2 to cover most situations. However, I am still fascinated by the open tenor and great high notes on my pre war crooks even on a modern instrument and the development of a more "stable and in tune" bassoon that manufacturers have worked on over the years may have indeed led to a more even scale but in my opinion a less "vocal" and characterful sound. My pre war CC2 crook is unfortunately a little wild on the newer instrument so am willing to part with this if it suits someone's older bassoon. I have a pre war CC0 which although sharp is so fabulous that I am keeping for any trips to Europe where I need to be a lot sharper! On my Mollenhauer contra I play a very early pre war Heckel contra crook which has projection qualities I haven't found in modern ones and have a Puchner B2 which is fabulous for sorting out the flat tenor register on these contras. If you haven't tried Stephan Leitzinger's crooks then do - the dynamic range, stability and intonation are fabulous and unique! www.leitzinger.de/en/ins_nav_02a.html Blaze Ensemble One group that I have had the privilege to play with for the last three and a half years is The Blaze Ensemble. A lively and friendly bunch with great programmes. Check the dates on the website and come along to one of our concerts! This season started with a Poulenc bonanza and a packed Stravinsky concert at St. Martins in the Fields Check the website for the next concert! Globe Wind Quintet The Globe Wind Quintet held their debut recital on 10th June at St. Olave's Hart Street in London. This concert featured works by Gershwin, Ravel, Arrieu, Bizet and "Westerly Winds" by Paul Patterson. To everyone's surprise the composer of "Westerly Winds" arrived during our rehearsal unexpectedly and stayed for the concert. This certainly kept the players on their toes! In February Globe enbarked on a series of educational concerts in London schools to enlighten the next generation on the joys of blowing down tubes of different sizes and lengths. They are currently working on their Autumn recital series. Reed Rage at Burgh House Hampstead Reed Rage - the bassoon quartet with a difference - gave their debut at Burgh House in Hampstead on 12th October at 8.05pm. Burgh House was packed with friends and bassoonists and a fantastic time was had by all. Watch out for the review in the latest British Double Reed Society magazine! www.reedrage.co.uk/ Vivaldi "La Notte" at St. Paul's Covent Garden The performance of Vivaldi's Bb concerto "La Notte" which I gave with the Blaze Ensemble at St. Paul's Covent Garden on July 2nd 2009 has appeared on Youtube - Nocturne for Bassoon and Piano With the intention to create more lyrical and tuneful contemporary repertoire for the bassoon, this is a short piece I wrote for bassoon and piano that you can hear here: It is reviewed here - And is available from here - www.spartanpress.co.uk/spweb/details.php?catno=CM165 |