Bassoon accessories – the key to a long life

As a player, looking after your instrument properly is important. Choose the right bassoon accessories to help you get the most from your bassoon.

electric piano or bassoon?

All musicians develop a close relationship with their instruments, often to the point where the instrument is an extension of the player like an electric piano. Good quality musical instruments are expensive, and you want to make sure that you extend the life of your instrument as much as possible by looking after it properly. Choosing the right bassoon accessories, for example, can help you to keep your instrument in good working order so that it’s always performing at its best.

Essential bassoon accessories

Whether you’ve been playing for years or you’ve just taken up the bassoon, accessories are an important part of your musician’s kit. Whilst a professional player may have a wide range of accessories, there are some items that even the most novice player needs to have available:

• A good case – keeping your instrument safe when you’re not playing is one of the most important things you can do. Bassoon cases come in a range of styles and prices, so choose the best you can afford so that your instrument is cushioned and protected at all times. Always put your bassoon in its case when you’re not playing – even if it’s just during a rehearsal break – it may seem like a hassle, but it’s the best way to keep your bassoon from harm. You’ll also need to invest in cases for your reeds, to prevent them from being damaged during storage or transit.

• Cleaning equipment – you must be able to keep your bassoon clean. You should clean it after each time you’ve played – whether it’s a lesson, a rehearsal or just practicing at home. Cleaning tools are vital bassoon accessories so make sure you have a good quality cleaning swap, pull-through or crook brush to help you keep your instrument in good condition.

• Supports – the bassoon is a heavy instrument and you will need a method of supporting its weight while you play. There are several different types of support, including slings, seat straps, spikes and neck straps. You may need more than one of these bassoon accessories depending on how and where you play.

In addition to these basic bassoon accessories, you may also need other items such as cork grease, specialist screwdrivers, bassoon stands and more.

Buying bassoon accessories

Some bassoon accessories will last you for years, whilst others may need replacing more frequently. You should take care of your musical instrument the same way you would take care of anything else that’s precious to you. Ensuring your bassoon is property protected, regularly cleaned and maintained and is kept safe when you’re playing are all part of being a bassoonist and once you get into the routine of using the right accessories at the right time, it will become second nature to you.