Note: This is a 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 solo collections for the bassoon. Please let me know if you have a resource to recommend for inclusion.
Beginners
The Really Easy Bassoon Book by Graham Sheen Publisher: Faber Music
“If you can play just a few notes on the bassoon, then you’re ready for this book. Here are 13 imaginative little pieces for the absolute beginner – traditional tunes, classics and specifically composed melodies, all with attractive piano accompaniments.
The pieces are arranged progressively, so you can hear the step-by-step improvement in your playing as well as simply enjoying the music.
When you’ve finished this book, you’ll be ready for First Book of Solos. –Sheen
First Book of Bassoon Solos edited/arranged by Hilling & Bergmann Publisher: Faber Music
From Hilling & Bergmann:
This book will provide the beginner on the bassoon with a repertoire of solos playable from the very first lesson. It is hoped that it will offer a variety of pieces in contrasting styles which can be enjoyed for their musical merit and enable the player to explore the expressive potential of the instrument.
These pieces have been graded according to finger technique.
*See Chapters 34, 40, and 49 for listing of specific solos from this volume.
Intermediate to Advanced
Most of these include increased range, use of tenor clef, and advanced key signatures.
Classic Festival Solos, Volumes I and II edited by Jack Lamb Publisher: Alfred Publishing
Offers the advancing instrumental soloist an array of materials graded from easy to more challenging. An assortment of musical styles has been included to give variety and to allow an opportunity for the musician to develop interpretive skills.
Classical Solos for the Bassoon, Volume 2 arranged by Philip Sparke Publisher: Hal Leonard
Das Fagott, Volume 5 by Werner Seltmann and Gunter Angerhofer Publisher: VEB Deutscher Verlag fur Musik Leipzig/ Broude Brothers
Master Solos, Intermediate Level edited by Leonard Sharrow Publisher: Hal Leonard
A Miscellany for Bassoon, Books 1 and 2 by Michael Rose Publisher: ABRSM
Repertoire Classics for Bassoon and Piano, edited by Kevin Fuller Publisher: Carl Fischer
37 recital pieces for bassoon and piano with downloadable MP3 files and PDF piano accompaniments.
Second Book of Bassoon Solos edited/arranged by Hilling & Bergmann Publisher: Faber Music
Solos for the Bassoon Player, arranged by Sol Schoenbach Publisher: G. Schirmer
These solos are taken from the orchestral repertoire and include works by Bach, Beethoven, Donizetti, Dukas, Mussorgsky, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky.
*See Chapters 34, 40, 49, 56, 66, 75, and 82 for listing of specific solos from these volumes.
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