The French Bassoon with Matthew Banks

My friend Matt stops by so that I can give his 1910 Buffet Basson a checkup. We chat and play some comparing our instruments. Plus, I drop hints as to a huge new project. Stay tuned for that.
www.bretnewtoncomposer.com
/ bretnewtoncomposer
Matt's UA-cam
/ @matthewbanks100

[@williamjohns9322]

Duke on the French bassoon, I love it. Thanks for sharing Matthew

[@thealmightyalphabetsoup3625]

I love the French bassoon, I remember Matthew playing at Bocal majority and have absolutely fell in love with it since.

[@lowheadvarney158]

I lost it when they started mowing outside. Ah the struggle of recording while neighbors do yard work...

[@bassoonwithaview]

Love that you are playing on a Legere! Great video! Just getting into the world of Basson myself - very exciting!

[@danielponder690]

Matthew has a surprisingly good sound on it, it’s easier to learn “basson” if you play and have experience with period bassoons as well. It’s more similar to a baroque or classical instrument in many ways. The new Buffet instruments are nice, big full sound, but still possesses a nosy “qualité”

[@colingentry47]

The french bassoon sounds a lot like a rackett from the baroque period

[@jameschristiansson3137]

This player might sound that way, I don't hear rackett from anyone else.

[@Lemwell7]

The way you can hear the reed vibrating is much more like a sax to me than the German bassoon.

[@MatthewBanks100]

For a slightly more modern example of the noble instrument's sound, here is Maestro Julien Hardy ua-cam.com/video/yQPxC91IJCw/v-deo.html

[@jameschristiansson3137]

First French bassoon jazz recital? That might surprise Alexandre Ouzounoff or Trio CDL among others.

[@eog5038]

Thanks, this is helpful. I just got a Mahillon (Brussels) French style bassoon. My left hand thumb key array has one more key than yours, at the upper right (I don't know what it does, as I don't yet have a reed to make any sound!). I have no idea as to the date of manufacture, as I can't find a serial number anywhere. Interesting that yours was made in 1910, without a high D key. Considering that Stravinsky's Rite of Spring was premiered in 1913, imagine playing that opening solo without a high D key!

[@danielponder690]

Nice! I’ve been looking for a Mahillon, one day. My buffet is a bit newer than his with more keys. Need to figure out the bocal and reeds for it.

[@seandemhairr4572]

French systems have smaller bores so the High D key wouldn’t be as necessary for said not, but most likely helpfull

[@zacharycoronado6749]

I looooooooooooovvvvvveeee the French bassoon. But I can’t find a teacher or an actual French bassoon.

[@MrAaronaltman]

What is your opinion of he chinese made Bassoons that are in the 1500.00 dollar range.

[@TheodoreBrown314]

What I've heard from many people (Including Bret) - avoid those instruments like the plague UNLESS you can get an experienced player to test it before you buy it

[@aaronw447]

Is the French bassoon at 440? I seem to recall that 440 is not the norm for French system bassoons.

[@BretNewtonComposer]

It depends on the age of the instrument. Matt's instrument plays well at 440, though was probably originally at 435 due to the age. Modern French Bassoons are tuned at 442.

[@danielponder690]

@@BretNewtonComposer there was also military pitch which were high pitch instruments at 450 or so. Pitch was less consistent until the mid 20th century

[@landonsmith135]

Nice playing! What was that duet called?

[@BretNewtonComposer]

It's by Boismortier.

[@brandonvaughn1200]

what kind of bassoon would you reccomend for a beginner?

[@BretNewtonComposer]

What does your school supply?