Back to Bassoon: Getting Your Bassoon Ready for the New School Year

One of my favorite things about back-to-school season is shopping for school supplies and getting everything ready for the new academic year. Ever since I was in elementary school, I have loved the annual rush of seeing colorful supplies and fresh backpacks while imagining how I will use everything in my intellectual pursuits over the coming months.

Just as acquiring the necessary crayons, notebooks, and folders is integral to setting you or your student(s) up for success, so is making sure your instrument is ready for another year of making music. Not only that, but so is having all the supplies you need to make sure you are ready for that first rehearsal! Below are a handful of things I do to make sure I am ready for another year or season of basooning!

Maintenance

Ensuring that your instrument is in working order is an important step for every musician in making sure that they are well prepared for a new school year or concert season. If possible, take it to a professional repair tech and have them give your instrument the tune-up it needs and deserves. However, there are a few things that can be done at home. Make sure to check with your teacher when it comes to oiling your keys and bore to make sure you have the correct oil and for guidance on how to properly apply said oil.

Here is a list of steps I take to give my bassoon some TLC:

• Oil keys

• Oil bore (only bell and long joint)

• Wash my swabs or buy new ones

• Clean my case

  • Clear out any trash or debris

  • Vacuum it to remove any lingering dust or lint

• Clean the cork and apply fresh cork grease

  • I do this by using a dry paper towel to wipe off any old or built-up grease on my corks. Once I have removed the old grease, I apply a light layer of fresh cork grease. Doing this a couple of times a year helps to ensure that the tenons of your instrument continue to fit together properly!

Supplies

Another step I take in getting my instrument ready for the upcoming school year is conducting an inventory to make sure I have all the supplies I need at the ready. Some items that may need to be restocked include:

• Reeds

  • I suggest students have 2-4 reeds on hand so they can rotate through them regularly, thus extending the life of the reeds!

• Cork grease

  • Like lip balm, cork grease can be one of those items that disappear easily and without warning. If your cork grease is missing or if it looks like it might have melted and remelted, go ahead and get a fresh tube!

• Pencils

  • Never be without one! I stash them everywhere to make sure I always have a pencil on hand for lessons or rehearsals. Shop your back-to-school sales to find a good deal on a healthy supply of pencils that will last you for years to come!

This could also be a good time to take inventory of what you need, items you may want to acquire, or supplies that you want to upgrade! A new school year could be a great reason to treat yourself to a new reed case, invest in a good harness, or even upgrade your seat strap!

Organize

Once you have cleaned out your case and restocked your supplies, now is the time to get everything organized and put it back in a safe place in your instrument case! Take the time to clear out music from last year (if you still have it floating around in your case). While you are clearing out old music, be sure to organize music you will be playing or would like to play this coming year, such as scale sheets, warm-ups, etudes, and solos. Now is also an excellent time to print off or mark in your book this year’s region or all-state audition excerpts!

 Now you can confidently go into the new school year knowing that your bassoon is ready and that you have all the supplies you need to be successful!