THE ORCHESTRA: A USER'S MANUAL |
|---|
| Introduction | Orchestration | Orchestration | Resources | Historical | Philharmonia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BASSOONS
Section: Woodwind
Transposing? No
Construction
Range
Articulations
Effects
Extended
Player's
Tips and Tricks
Effects
|
NAME
|
DESCRIPTION
|
NOTATION
|
LISTEN/VIEW
|
COMMENTS
|
|
vibrato
|
undulation
in pitch
|
verbal
instruction (con vibrato), sometimes with wavy line if a specific
exaggerated effect is required:
|
|
Vibrato is fully available on the bassoon, but is used sparingly, especialy in chords. |
|
varied
fingerings
|
using
different fingerings to change the timbre of a given note
|
Fingerings
may be specified using standard fingering notation
|
different fingerings |
It is usual to leave the player to choose the fingering. This is normally done to effect dynamics. |
|
glissando
|
slide
in pitch between notes
|
 |
|
Possible on holed notes, but extremely limited on keyed notes. The contrabassoon has entirely covered holes, so embouchure gliss is the only possibility. |
|
molto
crescendo
|
produces
a 'reedy' sound as it becomes louder
|
verbal
instruction
|
reedy sound (molto crescendo) |
|
|
mute
|
a
soft object inserted into the end of the bassoon
|
con
sord.
|
bassoon mute
contra mute |
Only effective in the bottom register of the bassoon and extremely rare on the contra. |
|
tremolo |
a
trill between two notes more than a tone apart.
|
 (N.B. This shake lasts two beats) |
tremolos tremolos |
Most are possible, except for very low on the bassoon. However, shakes over more than a 4th can sound clumsy on a solo instrument. |
|
trills
|
rapid
alternation between two pitches
|
 this shows a minor trill followed by a major trill, indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given, players will choose trill type based on musical context. The wavy lines indicating duration of trill are also optional. |
|
Trills are all possible, except low down on the bassoon and the contra. Timbral trills are also possible. |