Forrests Music
Beginner Guides
A friendly starting point for new oboe and bassoon players — and the parents and teachers helping them begin.
Pick an instrument
Use the toggle above to switch between the oboe and bassoon guides. The essentials — good reeds, a well-set-up instrument, and steady practice — are the same; the specifics differ.
Starting the bassoon
The bassoon is a big instrument, but beginners do well with the right setup: a bocal that suits them, a comfortable seat strap or harness, and reeds that speak easily.
What a starter setup needs
- A student bassoon in good regulation, with a seat strap or harness.
- A bocal that matches the player — bore and length change response and pitch, and we can help you compare.
- A couple of medium-soft reeds, a reed case, and a swab.
Reeds, bocals & supplies
How we help
Bocal choice makes a real difference on bassoon — call or visit and we'll help you try options and settle on reeds that respond for a newer player.