Hey! So I started writing a very long and very boring post about how I'm tweaking my cane/reed process to try to approximate Williams cane.. Oh what's that? Snoring. Yeah, exactly.

Let's cut to the chase. Williams cane is my favorite. It is shaped and profiled completely dry. This stuff doesn't hit water until it's time to form. He might be one of the only people to do it this way, I really have no idea. And though the reeds that result from this process are almost always wonderful, the cane is pretty expensive. Expensive enough that I can't make student reeds from it and keep my prices low. So, I'm trying some of this dry processing, specifically with the shaping. I've got a batch of 5 dry-shaped reeds, soaking in wait for the profiling and forming processes and another 5 blanks formed and drying in wait for their bindings. I'm supposed to be resting up today as I'm home sick, but the reed gods wait for no human. They must be placated! With three different kinds of cane in there - Medir, Gonzales from Pagoola, and some junk cane from my friend in Phoenix that I've been using to test ideas and teach - I'm hoping to get some idea of how it comes out. 

Crossing fingers!

I have a number of students considering the purchase of their own bassoon. At this point in their development I would recommend spending $4-9k on a bassoon that would get them all the way thru high school and into college.

Having said that, there are some factors we can use to rule some sellers out. If the answer to any of these questions is NO, you most likely do NOT want to consider that instrument.

• Is the bassoon being sold from a US or UK company or address?
• Does the bassoon have a stated brand name?
• Is that brand Fox, Moosmann, Schreiber, or Puchner? (Sometimes Kohlert and Moennig are ok, but the age and accompanying info has to be really good.)
• Is the bassoon made of wood, with no major repairs listed as needed? (A little wear is ok, and even expected. If cared for well, bassoons don't really lose value and cannot be "played out".)
• Is the bassoon less than 30 years old?
• Does the seller have a high satisfaction percentage?
• Is the listing accompanied by detailed photos and bassoony sounding words, like "rollers" and "high d key"?

Most reputable double reed suppliers will allow the instrument to go out on trial. Don't be afraid to ask about this, or to phone them with questions. They want you to be happy with your purchase and will do what they can to ensure it.

​Please see my other page of links for reputable double reed suppliers.

I love it when this happens. I caught bits of the American version of this film for about the bazillionth time yesterday, and noticed something new. In the scene where Richard Gere (student) dances the Argentinian Tango with Jennifer Lopez (teacher), there is a moment where he takes charge. He is instructed not to speak and to only move when he feels it.

Teachers LIVE for this moment. The moment when the student takes off from where he/she has been guided and embarks upon their own expression of the chosen artform.