Practicing Weissenborn Study #3
Performance and practice suggestions for Julius Weissenborn's Bassoon Studies, Opus 8, Study #3
Comments
Practicing Weissenborn Study #3 (2014, BDP #111). The public domain music for Opus 8/2 – 50 Advanced Studies is available here: Music from IMSLP | Alternate PDF
The original transcript is available here.
Videos
Captions are unavailable. The complete transcript follows.
Chapters
Transcript
00:20Introduction
Welcome to the video on Weissenborn Study #3. Weissenborn asks that this study be played sempre staccato, that is, with always separated notes. He also gives the instruction leggiero, which in this context means to tongue lightly.
00:40Avoid Jaw Motion
Many bassoonists move their jaws when they articulate. They "chew" the notes. Avoid this unnecessary movement. First, practice legato tonguing in front of a mirror. Example Then play with shorter notes, but do not change your jaw movement. Example
01:23Flick and Venting Keys
It is important to use flick or venting keys in this study. The study is slow enough that you can alternate between the whisper key (piano key) and the flick keys. The flick keys help notes start cleanly.
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01:52Poor Articulation Example
Here is an example of poor articulation without the flick key. Example
02:04Clean Articulation Example
Here is an example of clean articulation with the flick key. Example
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02:15Flick Key Fingerings
Here are the note names with the flick key fingerings.
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02:32Breathing
Take breaths in places that enhance the musical phrasing. See the video on Weissenborn Study #9 for a more thorough discussion of where to breathe. Notice that I breathe from below, dropping the jaw for a quick breath. I do not move my whole head to breathe. Dropping the jaw is the most efficient way to breathe quickly.
03:02Reflection
REFLECTION And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (NKJV, Genesis 2:7) Everything you do, such as practicing, talking, and walking, is not only a physical activity but also a spiritual activity. Each of us is a living being, a spirit in a physical body. Wherever your body goes, your spirit goes as well. Live your life in a way that makes your spirit sing with music.
Credits
- author Terry B. Ewell
- composer Julius Weissenborn