The Front (Pinky) A-flat Key

The boot joint has a cluster of three keys that are operated by the right-hand pinky. The low F key you learned in lesson 2 is part of this cluster. The A-flat key is another key in this cluster. All bassoons have a front A-flat key; advanced model bassoons will also have a back (thumb) Ab. The thumb Ab is covered at the end of this chapter.

   

Low A-flat fingering

Matching Pitch on Low Ab

Play this exercise with a drone (a sustained reference tone) to check your intonation.

  tuningdrones.com

Think G#

A-flat (Ab) requires all three fingers on the right hand as well as the right-hand pinky. Thinking of Ab as G# will help you remember to “finger G and raise the note ½ step by adding the G# key.” If you finger A-natural and add the Ab key, you will get a sound, but it will not be an Ab.

Tip:

The more chromatic a passage is, the more fingers you need to move. You will need to work on coordinating your fingers, pinkies, and thumbs so that they lift and press as a unit. The next exercise will help you practice that technique. Keep your fingers soft and light.

Practicing Ab to G and A to G#

Changing the key signature can make a big difference for fingerings.

• Only the right-hand pinky needs to move in the first eight bars.
• At the key change, move the right-hand ring finger AND pinky at the same time.
• Keep a steady pulse and focus on coordination of your fingers.

Mary Had a Little Lamb

This is normally a simple piece, but the key makes this version a little tricky.

Note: Be sure you are using your right thumb to press the Bb key on the back of the boot joint whenever you play Bb in this octave. Using the alternate Bb key would make it very hard to move cleanly between Bb and Ab.

Starting the Eb Scale

Now that you know Ab you can play in the key of Eb major.

The Back (Thumb) A-flat Key

This key is not included on all bassoons. However, it can be useful in certain passages and situations. The back (thumb) A-flat can be a little lower in pitch than the front A-flat. The thumb A-flat can also be helpful in some passages with tricky fingerings.

 

The thumb Ab key can feel harder for your thumb to find because it is rarely used. It might also feel harder to reach than the pinky Ab. Keep your hand and thumb relaxed to increase your reach. As you learn more about the bassoon and play more repertoire you will discover places to use the back A-flat key.