Lesson 34: High B (B4)

Carol Cope Lowe

79 Lesson 34: High B (B4)

Fingering

high B with fingering

Note: The high C key must be held down for the duration of the B. It does not function as a speaker key in this octave like it does in the octave below.

Response

Good response on high B requires:

an accurate aural target,
a fast, cold, steady airstream,
supporting the reed with your embouchure (lips),

Intonation and Tone

High B is a very sharp note on the bassoon and too much lip pressure will push the pitch even higher. Your lips can be firm but make sure to

maintain space between your teeth,
create an open oral cavity,
voice a low vowel shape with the back of your tongue.

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Matching Pitch on high B

Playing B to A

Playing B to A in the fourth octave requires a change in both hands. The left-hand thumb moves down to the A and C# keys and the left ring finger goes down. The right-hand index finger and pinky lift, and the right ring finger adds the G key.

high B to A with fingerings

practice playing high B to high A

high G, A, B with fingerings

key G major, range D3-B4

key D major, range D3-B4

Playing B to A#

Playing B to A# in the fourth octave requires a change in both hands. The right-hand only needs to lift the Bb key, The left-hand thumb and ring fingers move.

high B and A sharp with fingerings