Bassoon Lessons Library

Learn to play enigmatic and enchanting Bassoon well in no time at all by following the professional step-by-step instruction. There’s something for every level of player in the Bassoon Library.

Overview

There is nothing like the sound of the Bassoon and its characteristically large range. From the low rumble of the lower register to the sweetly singing tones of the upper range, the Bassoon provides a unique challenge that matches its robust sound. Let the MusicProfessor instructor make playing the Bassoon easy right from the start. There’s something for every Bassoon player in the full Library, from sequential instruction to fun to play solos.

This video library is perfect for:
  • First-time bassoon players ready to get playing
  • Intermediate bassoon players looking to hone their technical skills
  • Bassoon students wanting to perform better in their ensembles
  • Band teachers looking for resources to support teaching and learning the bassoon
In this library you’ll learn:
  • Step-by-step how to play the bassoon
  • How to assemble, hold, and care for the bassoon
  • Bassoon fingerings
  • How to read bassoon music
  • How to practice bassoon effectively
  • And so much more...

Curriculum

Level 1 Bassoon

By Leslie Massenburg
  • 0 Lessons
  • Leslie Massenburg
  • Welcome! Here's where to start.
  • Lesson 1: Introduction
  • Lesson 2: Putting the Bassoon Together
  • Lesson 3: Bassoon Playing Position
  • Lesson 4: Taking the Bassoon Apart
  • Lesson 5: Introduction
  • Lesson 6: Bassoon Air and Embouchure
  • Lesson 7: Notes F, E, D, and C
  • Lesson 8: Troubleshooting
  • Lesson 9: Bassoon Tonguing
  • Lesson 10: Exercise 1.1 - Tonguing
  • Lesson 11: Exercise 1.2 - Tonguing
  • Lesson 12: Introduction
  • Lesson 13: Exercise 1.1 - Longtones
  • Lesson 14: Exercise 1.2 - Longtones
  • Lesson 15: Exercise 1.3 - Longtones
  • Lesson 16: Reading Music
  • Lesson 17: Exercise 2.1 - Longtones on the Musical Staff
  • Lesson 18: Bassoon Tonguing and Breathing
  • Lesson 19: Exercise 3.1 - Longer Phrases
  • Lesson 20: Exercise 4.1 - Intervals
  • Lesson 21: Introduction
  • Lesson 22: Notes B, A, G, and F
  • Lesson 23: Notes B, A, G, and F on the Musical Staff
  • Lesson 24: Exercise 1.1 - Half Notes
  • Lesson 25: Exercise 2.1 - Slurring
  • Lesson 26: Exercise 3.1 - Repeat Sign
  • Lesson 27: Introduction
  • Lesson 28: Recap
  • Lesson 29: Exercise 1.1 - Quarter Notes
  • Lesson 30: Note Half-Hole G
  • Lesson 31: Exercise 2.1 - Getting to know Half-Hole G
  • Lesson 32: Exercise 3.1 - Half Rests
  • Lesson 33: Exercise 4.1 - Tying it All Together
  • Lesson 34: Introduction
  • Lesson 35: Recap
  • Lesson 36: Notes A, B, and C + Flicking
  • Lesson 37: Exercise 1.1 - A, B, and C on the Staff
  • Lesson 38: Exercise 1.2 - A, B, and C on the Staff
  • Lesson 39: Exercise 1.3 - A, B, and C on the Staff
  • Lesson 40: C-Major Scale
  • Lesson 41: Time Signature
  • Lesson 42: Exercise 2.1 - 3:4 Time + Dotted Half Notes
  • Lesson 43: Melody 1.1 - Peer Gynt
  • Lesson 44: Exercise 3.1 - Tying it All together
  • Lesson 45: Introduction
  • Lesson 46: Recap
  • Lesson 47: Recap, part II
  • Lesson 48: Note Bb
  • Lesson 49: Exercise 1.1 - Enharmonics
  • Lesson 50: F-Major Scale - Key Signature
  • Lesson 51: Exercise 2.1 - Quarter Rests
  • Lesson 52: Exercise 3.1 - Incorporating Bb
  • Lesson 53: Exercise 3.2 - Incorporating Bb
  • Lesson 54: Exercise 3.3 - Incorporating Bb
  • Lesson 55: Exercise 4.1 - Duet
  • Lesson 56: Introduction
  • Lesson 57: Recap
  • Lesson 58: Recap, part II
  • Lesson 59: Exercise 1.1 - Eighth Notes
  • Lesson 60: Exercise 1.2 - Eighth Notes
  • Lesson 61: Notes F#, G#
  • Lesson 62: Exercise 2.1 - Dexterity
  • Lesson 63: Exercise 2.2 - Getting to know F#
  • Lesson 64: Exercise 2.3 - Getting to know Low G#
  • Lesson 65: Exercise 2.4 - Getting to know Half-Hole G#
  • Lesson 66: G-Major Scale
  • Lesson 67: Exercise 3.1 - Eighth Notes and F#
  • Lesson 68: Exercise 4.1 - Bb and B Natural Boogie
  • Lecture 69: Exercise 5.1 - F# Challenge
  • Lesson 70: Introduction
  • Lesson 71: Recap
  • Lesson 72: Note C#
  • Lesson 73: A-Major Scale
  • Lesson 74: Melody 1.1 - Hat Dance
  • Lesson 75: Melody 2.1 - Mountain King
  • Lesson 76: Exercise 1.1 - Articulations - Accents
  • Lesson 77: Exercise 1.2 - Articulations - Staccato

Level 3 Bassoon Etudes

By Leslie Massenburg
  • 78 Lessons
  • Leslie Massenburg
  • Welcome! Here's where to start.
  • Lesson 1: Introduction
  • Lesson 2: Section A - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 3: Section A - Flicking
  • Lesson 4: Section A - Slurs
  • Lesson 5: Section A - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 6: Section B - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 7: Section B - Slurs Continued
  • Lesson 8: Section B - Phrasing
  • Lesson 9: Section B - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 10: Section C - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 11: Section C - Echo
  • Lesson 12: Section C - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 13: Section D - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 14: Section D - Tenor Clef
  • Lesson 15: Section D - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 16: Section E - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 17: Section E - Echo Continued
  • Lesson 18: Section E - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 19: Section F - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 20: Section F - Working Out the Kinks
  • Lesson 21: Section F - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 22: Section G - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 23: Section G - Phrasing Continued
  • Lesson 24: Section G - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 25: Vibrato
  • Lesson 26: Performance
  • Lesson 27: Introduction
  • Lesson 28: Articulation Exercises
  • Lesson 29: Section A - Performance Run Through
  • Lesson 30: Section A - Playing a Melody
  • Lesson 31: Section A - Tonguing Exercises
  • Lesson 32: Section A - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 33: Section A - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 34: Section B - Performance Run Through
  • Lesson 35: Section B - Practice Techniques
  • Lesson 36: Section B - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 37: Section B - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 38: Section C - Performance Run Through
  • Lesson 39: Section C - Notes
  • Lesson 40: Section C - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 41: Section C - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 42: Section D - Performance Run Through
  • Lesson 43: Section D - Breathing
  • Lesson 44: Section D - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 45: Performance at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 46: Performance
  • Lesson 47: Introduction
  • Lesson 48: Section A - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 49: Section A - Rhythm
  • Lesson 50: Section A - Tenor Clef
  • Lesson 51: Section A - C# Melodic Minor Scale
  • Lesson 52: Section A - Key Signature
  • Lesson 53: Section A - Slow Practice
  • Lesson 54: Section A - Cleanliness
  • Lesson 55: Section A - Practicing Cleanliness
  • Lesson 56: Section A - When it Gets Faster
  • Lesson 57: Section A - Coordination Issues
  • Lesson 58: Section A - Musicality
  • Lesson 59: Section A - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 60: Section B - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 61: Section B - New Key Signature
  • Lesson 62: Section B - Tenor Clef
  • Lesson 63: Section B - Style
  • Lesson 64: Section B - Metronome
  • Lesson 65: Section B - Hemiola
  • Lesson 66: Section B - Musicality
  • Lesson 67: Section B - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 68: Performance at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 69: Performance
  • Lesson 70: Introduction
  • Lesson 71: Section A - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 72: Section A - Tenor Clef
  • Lesson 73: Section A - Fingers
  • Lesson 74: Section A - Slow Practice
  • Lesson 75: Section A - Big Intervals
  • Lesson 76: Section A - Practice Rhythms
  • Lesson 77: Section A - Practice Rhythms Continued
  • Lesson 78: Section A - F Trill
  • Lesson 79: Section A - Phrasing
  • Lesson 80: Section A - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 81: Section B - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 82: Section B - Ties
  • Lesson 83: Section B - Vibrato
  • Lesson 84: Section B - Troubleshooting
  • Lesson 85: Section B - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 86: Cadenza
  • Lesson 87: Section C - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 88: Section C - Big Intervals
  • Lesson 89: Section C - F# Sharp Trill
  • Lesson 90: Section C - Run Through at Practice Tempo
  • Lesson 91: Performance
  • Lesson 92: Introduction
  • Lesson 93: Practice Techniques
  • Lesson 94: Control
  • Lesson 95: Control Exercises
  • Lesson 96: Vibrato
  • Lesson 97: Section A - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 98: Section A - Rhythm
  • Lesson 99: Section A - F# to A# slur
  • Lesson 100: Section A - Tuning
  • Lesson 101: Section B - Run Through at Medium Tempo
  • Lesson 102: Section B - Trill
  • Lesson 103: Section B - High Notes B and C
  • Lesson 104: Section B - Air and slurring
  • Lesson 105: Section B - Playing with the Metronome
  • Lesson 106: Performance

Level 2 Bassoon

By Leslie Massenburg
  • 185 Lessons
  • Leslie Massenburg
  • Welcome! Here's where to start.
  • Lesson 1: Intro
  • Lesson 2: Recap
  • Lesson 3: Recap, part II
  • Lesson 4: Exercise 1.1 - Dotted Quarter + Eighth Note
  • Lesson 5: Melody 1.1 - My Country 'Tis of Thee
  • Lesson 6: Melody 1.2 - My Country 'Tis of Thee
  • Lesson 7: Melody 1.3 - My Country 'Tis of Thee
  • Lesson 8: Note D#, Eb
  • Lesson 9: Bb-Major Scale
  • Lesson 10: Melody 1.4 - My Country 'Tis of Thee
  • Lesson 11: Chromatic Scale
  • Lesson 12: Melody 2.1 - Gnomes
  • Lesson 13: Introduction
  • Lesson 14: Recap
  • Lesson 15: Recap, part II
  • Lesson 16: Notes Low E to Low Bb
  • Lesson 17: Exercise 1.1 - Low Notes
  • Lesson 18: Melody 1.1 - Up on the Housetop
  • Lesson 19: C-Major Scale
  • Lesson 20: Note High D
  • Lesson 21: D-Major Scale
  • Lesson 22: Chromatic Scale
  • Lesson 24: Exercise 2.1 - Low Note Challenge
  • Lesson 25: Introduction
  • Lesson 26: Recap
  • Lesson 27: Note High Eb
  • Lesson 28: Exercise 1.1 - Getting to know High Eb
  • Lesson 29: Exercise 1.2 - Getting to know High Eb
  • Lesson 30: Chromatic Scale
  • Lesson 31: Exercise 2.1 - Dynamics
  • Lesson 32: Exercise 3.1 - Tying it All Together
  • Lesson 33: Introduction
  • Lesson 4: Recap
  • Lesson 35: Notes High E, F
  • Lesson 36: Exercise 1.1 - Getting to know High E and F
  • Lesson 37: F-Major Scale
  • Lesson 38: E-Major Scale
  • Lesson 39: Chromatic Scale
  • Lesson 40: Exercise 2.1 - Tempo Adagio
  • Lesson 41: Exercise 2.2 - Tempo Andante
  • Lesson 42: Exercise 2.3 - Tempo Allegro
  • Lesson 43: Exercise 3.1 - Dynamic Changes
  • Lesson 44: Exercise 3.2 - Dynamic Changes
  • Lesson 45: Melody 1.1 - When the Saints
  • Lesson 46: Melody 2.1 - Wayfaring Stranger
  • Lesson 47: Introduction
  • Lesson 48: Recap
  • Lesson 49: Recap, part II
  • Lesson 50: Notes Low Eb and Db
  • Lesson 51: Exercise 1.1 - Getting to know Low Eb and Db
  • Lesson 52: Exercise 1.2 - Getting to know Low Eb and Db
  • Lesson 53: Eb-Major Scale
  • Lesson 54: Chromatic Scale
  • Lesson 55: Exercise 2.1 - 16th Notes
  • Lesson 56: Exercise 2.2 - 16th Notes
  • Lesson 57: Introduction
  • Lesson 58: Recap
  • Lesson 59: Ab-Major Scale
  • Lesson 60: Exercise 1.1 - Moving 16th Notes
  • Lesson 61: Exercise 2.1 - Cut Time
  • Lesson 62: Exercise 2.2 - Chromatic Cut Time
  • Lesson 63: Exercise 2.3 - Cut Time Skills
  • Lesson 64: Exercise 3.1 - Intervals and Arpeggios
  • Lesson 65: Melody 1.1 - A Brahms Melody
  • Lesson 66: Exercise 4.1 - Combining 16th Notes and Articulation
  • Lesson 67: Introduction
  • Lesson 68: Recap
  • Lesson 69: Note High F#
  • Lesson 70: Db-Major Scale
  • Lesson 71: Exercise 1.1 - Db Scale with 16th Notes
  • Lesson 72: Exercise 2.1 - 16th Note Combinations
  • Lesson 73: Exercise 2.2 - 16th Note Combinations
  • Lesson 74: Exercise 2.3 - 16th Note Combinations
  • Lesson 75: Exercise 3.1 - Dotted Eighth + Sixteenths
  • Lesson 76: Melody 1.1 - Bridal March
  • Lesson 77: Melody 2.1 - March of the Toreador
  • Lesson 78: Introduction
  • Lesson 79: Recap, part I
  • Lesson 80: Recap, part II
  • Lesson 81: Note High G
  • Lesson 82: Note High Ab
  • Lesson 83: Ab-Major Scale, Two-Octaves
  • Lesson 84: G-Major Scale, Two-Octaves
  • Lesson 85: B-Major Scale, Two-Octaves
  • Lesson 86: Chromatic Scale
  • Lesson 87: Exercise 1.1 - 6:8 Time
  • Lesson 88: Exercise 1.2 - 6:8 Time
  • Lesson 89: Exercise 1.3 - 6:8 Time
  • Lesson 90: Exercise 2.1 - Eighth Rests
  • Lesson 91: Melody 1.1 - Panther
  • Lesson 92: Introduction
  • Lesson 93: Recap
  • Lesson 94: Notes High A and Bb
  • Lesson 95: A-Major Scale, Two-Octaves
  • Lesson 96: Bb-Major Scale, Three-Octaves
  • Lesson 97: Chromatic Scale, Three-Octaves
  • Lesson 98: Gb:F#-Major Scale, Two-Octaves
  • Lesson 99: Exercise 1.1 - Triplets
  • Lesson 100: Exercise 1.2 - Triplets
  • Lesson 101: Exercise 1.3 - Triplets

NEW - Music Fundamentals

By Cameron Coday
  • 286 Lessons
  • Cameron Coday
  • Here's where to start.
  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Music Fundamentals
  • Lesson 2: What is Music Notation?
  • The Many Types of Music Notation
  • Lesson 4: What is Pitch?
  • Lesson 5: The Staff
  • Lesson 6: Key Signatures
  • Lesson 7: Clefs
  • Lesson 8: The Musical Alphabet
  • Lesson 9: The Treble Clef
  • Lesson 10: The Bass Clef
  • Lesson 11: Whole Steps and Half Steps
  • Lesson 12: Sharps, Flats, and Naturals
  • Lesson 13: Intervals
  • Lesson 14: Major Scales
  • Lesson 15: Natural Minor Scales
  • Lesson 16: Circle of Fifths
  • Lesson 17: Chords
  • Lesson 18: Transposition
  • Lesson 19: Transposition for Band Instruments
  • Lesson 20: What is Meter?
  • Lesson 21: 4/4 Common Time
  • Lesson 22: 3/4 Time
  • Lesson 23: 2/4 Time
  • Lesson 24: 5/4 and 6/4
  • Lesson 25: 2/2 or Cut Time
  • Lesson 26: 6/8 Time
  • Lesson 27: More Complex Meters-12/8 and 9/8 Time
  • Lesson 28: Even More Complex Meters-5/8 and 7/8 Time
  • Lesson 29: What is Rhythm?
  • Lesson 30: Rhythm versus Tempo
  • Lesson 31: The Eighth Note Pulse
  • Lesson 32: Note Values-Meet the Rhythm Tree
  • Lesson 33: Rests-Beats of Energetic Silence
  • Lesson 34: Ties Rhythms
  • Lesson 35: Dotted Rhythms
  • Lesson 36: Syncopated Rhythms
  • Lesson 37: What are Dynamics?
  • Lesson 38: What is Tempo

Instructors

Leslie Massenburg

Leslie Massenburg began her musical studies with piano at the age of 5. She started playing the bassoon in 1995 and continued to Baylor University for her undergraduate degree in bassoon performance and piano pedagogy. She furthered her bassoon studies with a masters degree from Southern Methodist University and three years at the Aspen Summer Music Festival.

Cameron Coday

Cameron Coday is a Band Director at Victory Lakes Intermediate in Houston, Texas. Cameron graduated High Honors with a Bachelor of Music and Minor in Leadership from the University of Colorado Boulder. She earned her Master of Music Education with Summa Cum Laude Honors from Central Washington University at the American Band College. Cameron has presented as a clinician for The Assisted Director and loves fostering conversation on teacher health and wellbeing. She is active in the pageantry arts, serving as brass staff for Arizona Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. She performed on baritone with The Troopers (2013, 2014), Phantom Regiment (2015), and The Cadets (2016). Outside of teaching, Cameron enjoys weightlifting and CrossFit. She coaches adult barbell classes, and loves her cat, Benjamin.

FAQ

  • Can I teach myself to play the bassoon?

    With proper instruction, you can teach yourself to play the bassoon. MusicProfessor’s step-by-step process will not only assist you in teaching yourself, it will provide you with high-quality examples of how the bassoon should sound, so you can self-assess and learn right from the start.

  • Is bassoon easy to learn?

    With proper instruction, the bassoon can be easy to learn. All instruments require practice to develop good sound and technique, and bassoon is no exception. MusicProfessor’s bassoon library is easy to follow, provides expert demonstrations, and is self-paced, which means you can watch videos when it is convenient for you, and rewatch lessons as often as you need to until you fully absorb the content.

  • Can I learn bassoon without a teacher?

    It can be challenging to learn an instrument without proper guidance. This is why MusicProfessor is a great way to get started learning the bassoon. Not only is MusicProfessor more affordable than in-person lessons, the teacher is an expert in bassoon education and will guide you step-by-step, at your own pace and on your own schedule.

  • Can you be too old to play the bassoon?

    You cannot be too old to learn to play the bassoon. In fact, learning to play the bassoon can help your body maintain its precision dexterity and keep your mind malleable. Learning to play an instrument is a great way to keep your body and mind young. As you need extra support, there are ways to modify your instrument set-up to make it effective for your own ability level.

  • Can I learn bassoon from home?

    You can learn bassoon from home on any device with a browser. Simply login to MusicProfessor and practice along with the easy to follow video curriculum.

  • Can I really learn bassoon online?

    You really can learn bassoon online! Learning online is affordable, and the curriculum is self paced, which means you can watch videos when it is convenient for you, and rewatch lessons as often as you need to until you fully absorb the content.