Das Fagott, Band 6

The sixth volume is devoted to the contrabassoon. Since learning to play this instrument should follow experience with bassoon playing, this volume tends to be for advanced students. The volume opens with an introductory text, ranging from a study of the instrument’s structure and maintenance and also to such topics as the player’s posture and breathing, to the history of the contrabassoon. This is followed by 18 lessons, consisting of exercises, etudes, and studies, also adding diversified orchestral studies of pieces by composers such as Beethoven, Schönberg and Britten. Also in this volume, fingering charts listing standard fingerings along with alternative fingerings and trills complete the comprehensive introduction to the contrabassoon in general and its way of playing in particular.