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 studies for the bassoon. Please let me know if you have a resource to recommend for inclusion.

90 Easy Bassoon Studies (grades 1-5) by June Emerson    Publisher: Emerson Edition, LTD.

From the composer:

“There is a great lack of material specifically written for the beginner on the bassoon, and these studies are intended to help fill that need. They begin at the point when the student knows the fingering for the first octave G-G and progress to approximately the level of Associated Board Grade 5. They are designed to encourage players to play musically at an early stage. So many beginners try to acquire a good technique without giving much attention to the way the music should be played. It is never too soon to encourage good phrasing, a smooth flowing tone for a lullaby or a neat staccato style for a dance. Concentration on technical studies can lead to a clever mechanical style, but this is not what bassoon playing is about.

The studies are graded progressively, each one dealing with a specific point. Orchestral and chamber music extracts are included as early as possible, giving the pupil a chance to play the music that they will meet later on. Some of the passages towards the end of the book are difficult, and extremely embarrassing when encountered for the first time in public. If taken slowly as studies, and worked on in short sections, they will help to build up familiarity with many classical note-patterns.

These studies were compiled in response to a request from a friend who had decided to learn the bassoon in her mid-fifties and had no wish to be frightened by any unreasonable demands.”

26 Melodic Studies (grades 1-6) by Graham Sheen    Publisher: Emerson Edition Ltd.

From the composer:

26 Melodic Studies is intended as a supplement to preparation for grades 1 to 6 [ABRSM]. I have used as my guide the required scales at each level by both the ABRSM and Trinity examination boards. The Studies remain within the compass of the set scales and arpeggios and employ only the notes which they contain. Nevertheless, the student will encounter some challenging combinations of notes within these tonalities. In addition, each study focuses, though not exclusively, on either articulation, technique, or phrasing. Most importantly, the Studies cover a wide variety of styles both serious and humorous, ranging from classical models through to jazz and modern dance forms: finding the right character for each one is as essential as finding the right notes.

The Singing Bassoon

Composer: Giuseppe Conconne Publisher: Emerson

This volume includes 40 legato exercises with a range from the lowest Bb up to and including G above the bass staff. Several meters, rhythms, and key signatures are included.

First Book of Practical Studies

Composer: D. McDowells Edited by Nilo W. Hovey

Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.        Published for additional instruments

Foreword

“Exercises and studies in this book have been written for the specific purpose of supplementing any of the elementary methods available. The book is in no way intended to serve as a method or as a course of progressive instruction for the bassoon.”

The material herein is divided into two general classifications:

1. Section One contains forty-eight Studies for rhythmic development. This section is designed to aid the student in developing the ability to sight-read in the most common keys. The author has used as much variety in tempi and rhythms as seemed musically practical. Each study is in a different key from the preceding one in an attempt to get the student into the habit of noticing the key signature at all times. The student who has a thorough understanding of the rhythms in this book will subsequently read more complex rhythms with greater ease.
2. Section Two contains the scale, arpeggio and interval exercises which are so indispensable in mastering any instrument. Some of these exercises should be included in the daily routine. The instructor should use tempi and articulations according to the needs of the student.

A well-balanced assignment should include some material from each section.

Second Book of Practical Studies

Composer: D. McDowells Edited by Nilo  W. Hovey

Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co.       Published for additional instruments

Foreword

This book is intended as a logical continuation of the “FIRST BOOK of PRACTICAL STUDIES.” The range has been extended to three full octaves and two more key signatures have been added. Each Study is in a different key from the preceding one in order to further develop a sense of key-consciousness.

The material is divided into two general classifications:

1.Section One contains Studies for rhythmic development. Continuing from SECTION ONE in the FIRST BOOK, this section is designed to aid the student in developing the ability to sight-read in various keys. The author has used as much variety in tempi and rhythms as seemed musically practical.

The following rhythms are introduced and explored in this section:

Common 16th note figures            Etudes 49 through 66

Dotted 8ths and 16ths                    Etudes 67 through 78

Eighth notes triplets                       Etudes 79 through 84

3/8 rhythm                                      Etudes 85 through 90

6/8 rhythm                                      Etudes 91 through 96

Syncopation                                     Etudes 97 through 102

Careful preparation of these etudes will result in greater rhythmic accuracy and improved ability to sight-read.

2. Section Two contains scale and technical exercises which are so indispensable in mastering any instrument. Some of these exercises should be included in the daily routine. The instructor should use tempi and articulations according to the needs of the student.

A well-balanced assignment should include some material from each section.

Progressive Studies for Bassoon by Chris Allen    Publisher: Spartan Press

Level: Grades I-VI

From the composer

The aim of these studies is to provide students with instructive material, written in a modern style to supplement existing, though more traditional pieces. Some of the studies are in familiar rhythms; others adopt 5 or 7 beats in a bar, and further pieces exploit the odder groupings to be found in 9 in a bar (e.g. 2+2+2+3 etc.).