Writing for Bassoon

UG - Undergraduate

The bassoon is one of the more daunting instruments for composers to write for. Its extreme range, vast array of available timbers, seemingly endless possibilities for extended techniques, and potential for many weird sounds make it a challenging instrument to approach from a soloistic standpoint. This class will shed light on all of these subjects and more in a lecture format that will provide composers with insight as to how to efficiently write for the bassoon. I will discuss basics of engraving and notation preferences, go into detail on extended techniques (notation, possibility, variety, etc), and touch on the possibilities of amplification and effects with live performance. The other major portion of this class will be the ability for composers to workshop their music live with me so we can all learn and enjoy each other's work together. All students will be composing a work for me that I will perform for them at the end of the class. Second week classes will be focused on workshopping the pieces during class.