Practicing Weissenborn Study #6
Performance and practice suggestions for Julius Weissenborn's Bassoon Studies, Opus 8, Study #6
Comments
Practicing Weissenborn Study #6 (2014, BDP #114). 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
00:20Allegretto grazioso
TUTORIAL Welcome, this is Terry Ewell. Weissenborn labels Study #6 allegretto grazioso. The study has a quick tempo that is, however, graceful and not overly aggressive. One common mistake made by students is accenting the slurred staccato notes. These notes should neither begin with the tongue nor receive an accent. Instead, each slurred pair of notes should have a slight diminuendo. The staccato marks indicate that Weissenborn wanted separation between each slurred pair. Example played with diminuendo
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01:09Playing on the Wind
In Study #2 we discussed avoiding excessive jaw motion. This study also contains passages where jaw movement should be minimized. The eighth-note scales are an excellent place to practice the technique called "playing on the wind." The breath support and embouchure should remain the same whether the notes are tongued or slurred. Example played slurred and tongued
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Open full-size figure
01:52Embouchure Motion
Of course, the jaw or embouchure must move when shaping notes with a diminuendo. For example, the graceful staccato notes in the first two measures are shaped by a slight closing movement of the embouchure.
02:08Rhythmic Subdivision
The first two measures of the third line deserve special attention. Carefully subdivide the dotted quarter note into eighth notes so that it is held for the correct duration. Example played with a metronome and graphics showing eighth-note subdivisions over the dotted quarter note.
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02:29Awkward Slur
The second measure contains an awkward downward slur on the bassoon. I lift the first finger and place it down firmly to execute the slur. In addition, I move my jaw slightly downward and forward to assist the slur. Examples showing finger motion and jaw motion.
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03:12Reflection
REFLECTION And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day... (NKJV, Genesis 3:8) The Garden of Eden was a sanctuary where man, woman, and God could spend time together. The garden was tended by Adam and Eve not only for their own enjoyment, but also to create a welcoming place for God. Seek to make your activities— your own garden— a place where God would want to visit.
Credits
- author Terry B. Ewell
- composer Julius Weissenborn