Bassoons

I love writing for the bassoon but I don't play the instrument. So I lack knowledge of dynamics, preferred ranges and what is difficult for a bassoonist to do.

Could you help please?

Go to the masterclasses section in this forum, it's all explained there.

Maybe some of your questions can be explained here on our ever-growing Wiki:
Category:Instruments

I don't personally play bassoon, but I might learn it soon, hopefully by summer I'll have a start on it. (I'm so happy!!)

Something I've heard about bassoon is the tendency for it to get "brassy" as it gets louder, much like the (French) horn. I think it has a very pretty piano, and it can be played quite softer in its higher register. In its lower register, however, it is harder to control and tends to be somewhat harsh.

Originally Posted by EnigmusJ4

Something I've heard about bassoon is the tendency for it to get "brassy" as it gets louder, much like the (French) horn. I think it has a very pretty piano, and it can be played quite softer in its higher register. In its lower register, however, it is harder to control and tends to be somewhat harsh.

For the most part that's only true for an unskilled player. It's difficult to play softly in the low register, but it's possible with the right reeds and some skill (just like oboe and saxophone...). The upper register tends to thin out, much like an oboe (since they produce sound the same way). And yes, if you 'push' the bassoon, you can produce an affected timbre that sounds forced or even 'stuffy'.

The bassoon is a lovely and agile instrument... so feel free to write what you want. There are just a few limitations, mostly trills/tremolos that are impossible or awkward. It does leaps very well. Tonguing is similar to oboe... avoid repeated quick staccato for long stretches. Unlike the oboe, you'll need more places to breathe if the passage is low or loud.

Anything else, just ask!

How about stamina? Can it play 30 minutes non stop? Any forbidden trill?

I'm going to get a bassoonist in my orchestra and have to write something for it ASAP.

Stamina is not a problem for most bassoonists.

Trills on all Db's, Gb's, and Ab's are impossible (F# to G is usually not a problem, though).
Trills on high A (A4) are impossible.
Trills below F2 (bottom of bass clef staff) are impossible (except E2 to F2, D2 to E2/Eb2, or C2 to Db2)
All passages above high G (G4) are more difficult due to very awkward and unstable fingerings.
All passages in the lowest fifth/sixth of the instrument can be awkward, avoid excessively agile lines there (the left thumb is doing almost all the fingering).