bassoONLY: Unaccompanied Bassoon Music Resource Collection

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Title

bassoONLY: Unaccompanied Bassoon Music Resource Collection

Description

bassoONLY is a database devoted to music for unaccompanied bassoon.

To use this resource, apply keywords at the top right. Keywords may be used to locate works using a wide variety of parameters, such as a particular composer and/or title, instrumentation (e.g. contrabassoon), gender, a country or nationality (e.g. Venezuela or Venezuelan), a duration (e.g. 6 minutes), a compositional style (e.g. avant-garde or jazz), range limit (e.g. C#5), difficulty level (e.g. moderately easy), extended techniques in general or one in particular (e.g. multiphonics or singing while playing), or a year of composition.

The resource is incomplete, and additions and corrections are welcomed. Please contact Jon Beebe at [email protected] if you are able to offer assistance.

The repertoire for unaccompanied bassoon is valuable for a number of reasons. Whether music is chosen for study or performance, the technical challenges are often formidable, bringing into play parameters such as texture and color that might be less salient in accompanied music. Just as an extended monologue is a supreme test for an actor, so too is the unaccompanied solo, of which a performer must have an intimate knowledge that transcends the superficial aspects in order to present a truly engaging performance. This can be especially challenging, given the diversity and complexity of modern musical techniques, languages, and styles. And finally, the better pieces seem to embody the intrinsic personae of one of the most idiosyncratic, challenging, and unique musical instruments.

How the Difficulty Levels Are Applied to the Music

The compositions on this site have been divided into five difficulty levels: Easy, Moderately Easy, Moderately Challenging, Challenging, and Very Challenging. While there is no absolute formula, six factors have been considered in determining an appropriate level for each piece:

1. top-most pitch and extent of high register usage
2. key signatures/changes or accidentals
3. clef
4. rhythmic/metric complexity
5. amount of conjunct vs. disjunct motion
6. the use of extended techniques.

Creator

Jon Beebe

Collection Tree

  • bassoONLY: Unaccompanied Bassoon Music Resource Collection