Performance Suggestions for Weissenborn Bassoon Study #15

0:00:00.280,0:00:14.000 Welcome. 0:00:14.000,0:00:46.000 This video will give you some tempo and performance suggestions for the fifteenth study in the Weissenborn, Opus 8 number 2. And this is one of the most popular studies. It appears quite often in all-state auditions as well as all-county auditions (USA). I know if you're like me, you enjoy this study very much. So, we will be discussing tempo and performance suggestions and also talk about creating a storyline to the music. 0:00:46.000,0:00:59.000 I have recorded this study and you can find it at 2reed.net or you can also find it on YouTube. You might find this helpful as you are studying this as well. 0:00:59.000,0:01:46.000 So, let's look at the opening a little bit. Notice that it is marked Lento, which means slow, and he gives the instructions a piacere, which means at your pleasure or with freedom. This is an opening introduction that should be played very freely. You should allow plenty of time to express yourself. In particular, there is a cadenza section to this where you have a number of sixteenth notes that start out slowly, gradually get faster and faster (that's what the stringendo means), and at the end should slow down. To do this artistically you need to practice this very carefully. I suggest using different rhythms for the sixteenth notes and practicing them slowly as well. 0:01:46.000,0:02:04.000 When you get to the Andante don't take this too slowly. It is still Andante, which means a walking tempo, and you certainly need to be expressive (it says espressivo), so allow yourself to shape the phrases. 0:02:04.000,0:02:36.000 The next section is Allegro Scherzando and this is often performed too fast. The Allegro Scherzando refers to the quarter-note beat, not to an entire measure. So you need to take a tempo that takes into account that there are three beats in the measure. Allegro means rapid and fast, but there still need to be three beats within that rapid tempo. 0:02:36.000,0:03:24.000 The one puzzling feature I do find in this particular etude is where it's marked tranquillo, which doesn't seem very tranquil at all. You've got these leaps, this exchange between forte and piano. What I suggest you might do is pull back on the tempo a little bit. Perhaps use less articulation, less tongue on each note, making it just a little more fluid and legato. That might give it more of the tranquillo feel. Again, aim for accuracy, play with a beautiful tone, play in tune, play in time, and I'm sure you will do well on the audition. 0:03:24.000,0:04:45.000 One thing that I found helpful is to sometimes create story lines for music. This is a helpful way to think through new ways of expressing the music. Sometimes, if you can picture a story or events happening, this may help you better express your musical talents and improve your musicianship. Try different stories and different ideas. Here's a fun little story I've used for years with students, and I think you might enjoy it as well. Thanks.

Performance Suggestions for Weissenborn Bassoon Study #15

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Transcript

00:14Introduction

00:47Previous Performance Video

00:59The Lento Introduction

01:46The Andante

02:04Allegro Scherzando

02:36Tranquillo

03:24Creating a Storyline

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