Note: This is a short list of resources recommended for new bassoon students, non-bassoonist music educators, and bassoon teachers beginning their careers. It is by no means an exhaustive or complete list of available methods for the bassoon. Please let me know if you have a resource to recommend for inclusion.

Beginner Level through Advanced High School & Collegiate Level

The First Complete Weissenborn Bassoon Method and Studies, Op. 8, Vols. 1 and 2     Edited by Frank Morelli       Publisher: Carl Fischer

This volume combines and reorganizes Weissenborn’s pedagogical materials into a hefty but very useful and user-friendly resource.

Features:

• • Carl Fischer’s Bettoney edition of the Weissenborn Method, in print for more than 85 years, has been revised and expanded by noted bassoonist and teacher, Frank Morelli.
  • For the first time, Weissenborn’s Method and both volumes of his Op. 8 Studies are presented in one book.
  • As in the Bettoney edition, Ludwig Milde’s Scale and Chord Studies are also included.
  • Newly added lessons introduce all notes beyond high Bb to high E while affording the student the opportunity to master the tenor clef.
  • A new, innovative Study Key has been provided, organizing the entirety of the book’s contents into a fully integrated method. This allows the student and teacher to easily locate music, exercises and studies found in the rest of the book appropriate for study at each lesson’s level of advancement.
  • A new section, “Intermediate Studies” by Julius Weissenborn, provides an important bridge to the more advanced studies that follow.
  • Frank Morelli’s “The Essentials of Bassoon Playing” and “Advanced Practice Methods for Improving Intonation, Tone Production, Tonguing and Finger Technique” offer comprehensive basic and advanced pedagogical instruction.
  • To further enhance the learning experience, thirty-six Bonus Duets have been added, based upon popular themes and many important orchestral bassoon solos.
  • “Fun Facts” have been added to promote greater musical appreciation and curiosity.
  • Modernized fingering charts and a revised and expanded glossary complete this landmark volume.

The New Weissenborn Method for Bassoon   Compiled/Edited by: Douglas Spaniol        Publisher: Hal Leonard

Level: Beginner to Advanced High School/Collegiate

For well over a century, students all over the world have learned to play the bassoon using Julius Weissenborn’s Practical Bassoon Method. At long last, The New Weissenborn Method for Bassoon presents the complete 1887 publication in an updated, user-friendly version. With over 50 photographs, modern fingering charts, and in-depth instruction on performance basics, instrument care, and reeds, The New Weissenborn Method is a must-have for all bassoon students.

Features:

• • Carefully researched and edited from the original 1887 edition
  • All lessons and exercises re-engraved
  • New notes, techniques and terminology introduced before each lesson
  • Weissenborn’s original sections on tenor clef and the “speaker” keys restored and expanded
  • Original ornamentation chapter restored with added modern performance practices
  • Supplementary scale exercises now include all major and minor keys.

Practical Method for the Bassoon by Julius Weissenborn     Publisher: Carl Fischer

This is a comprehensive method with useful text descriptions of various parts of the bassoon and the assembly process. The fingering chart is not user friendly. Exercises include many meters and challenging rhythms (6/4 appears on the second page of musical exercises and 6/8 appears on the third page). Take your time to go through every page and every exercise! It will pay off.

Note: This method has long been a staple of bassoon pedagogy due to the great deal of excellent musical material it contains. However, I find Mr. Morelli’s edition more user friendly for teachers and students, as it contains many detailed descriptions and pedagogical instructions not found in the original Weissenborn Method.

Beginning Level

Primary Handbook for Bassoon by Richard Polonchak    Publisher: Meredith Music Publications

Level: Good for the true beginner or someone switching from another instrument

Excellent pictures for instrument assembly and posture as well as a good fingering chart and sensible progression of new notes and rhythms balanced with increasing range.

My First Weissenborn   Compiled and edited by Daniel Schmidt    Publisher: Carl Fischer

Level: Beginner

This book provides an Introduction to the Weissenborn Practical Method for the Bassoon with a good layout, fingering chart, and explanation of purpose for each exercise.

Foundations for Success: Technical Training for the Young Bassoonist by Cheryl Ann Huddleston     Publisher: Southern Music

Level: Beginner taking lessons

Author states that Foundations is intended for use with a private instructor and as such does not include detailed descriptions of embouchure or correct performance posture. The author also suggests that the lessons in the book can be used as “technical training etudes to complement etudes” from Julius Weissenborn’s Practical Method for Bassoon.

Intermediate Level

New Millennium Bassoon Method by Mike Curtis    Publisher: MSS Publishing

Level: Intermediate

Includes nice duets at end, closely based on ideas of Weissenborn method, introduces and defines common musical terms, includes some advanced (modern) playing techniques, has good fingering chart.

Intermediate to Advanced Level

Bassoon Fundamentals: A Guide to Effective Practice by Georg Klutsch     Publisher: Schott Music

Level: Intermediate to Advanced (This is not for the absolute beginner. There is no fingering chart included.)

The method provides specific exercises that target several of the principal areas involved in playing the bassoon (tone quality, finger technique, articulation, upper register, trills, and intonation). Each exercise includes a clear description of its purpose and practical application. An excellent method for intermediate and advanced students.