Bassoon

Hopefully, you have already procured a bassoon through school, rental agreement, or purchase.

Included with the bassoon should be:

1. •  Seat strap (leather strap with a metal hook on one end)
   

2. •  Bocal (thin metal tube that looks like a question mark with cork on one end)
   

3. •  2 swabs (extended exposure to moisture can ruin pads and damage wooden instruments)
   

4. -  Cotton swabs are preferable to silk because they are more absorbent
   

5. -  One swab has a chain and is for the boot joint. Drop the chain in the larger hole and feed out through the smaller hole.
   

6. -  The other swab is long and thin with a weight for dropping through the wide end of the wing joint
   

Reeds

Starting out on bassoon, I recommend getting a “medium” reed. Sometimes you have to go to a local music store because you can’t wait on shipment of internet orders. (I’m currently in the process of ordering samples from several prolific reedmakers before I recommend a brand or company.)

Check the tip to make sure the opening is even with no cracks or warps, and check the blade of the reed (just above the wires) for any cracks. The butt (round) end of the reed should be rounded so as to fit on the bocal without air leaks.

Reed Soaker

A small container that can hold water for you to soak your reed. A film canister is too small; a drinking glass is too big to carry around.

I recommend using an empty prescription bottle. If you have none, you can go to a pharmacy and ask to purchase an empty pill bottle. I have done this and received strange looks, laughs and even a free container when I explained what it was for. Generally, they have charged me between $o.50 and $1.00 for a container.

Reed Case

Any container that closes, holds the reed in place, and allows ventilation for the reeds to dry out between uses is acceptable. Professionally made reed cases are available online and can range from $15.00 to over $100.00. I have also made some homemade cases out of breath mint tins. Ask me about it!

Tuner & Metronome

You can purchase a combination metronome/tuner from local music stores for around $35.00.  Bassoon reeds have lots of pitch flexibility, so it is imperative that beginners have a tuner to work with when developing proper embouchure and pitch-matching skills.

Beware guitar tuners! They are slightly cheaper, but will NOT be helpful.

Protip from Erin Foster of Eastern Washington University:

“The free metronome and tuner apps for iphones, etc are pretty terrific, too.”

This list ought to get you started right.