Description: Vibrato is a slight undulation in pitch. It can also be a variation in intensity of sound. Either way the effect is of a sound that 'wobbles' slightly.
Notation: Written instruction in the music - Vib. or Vibrato. Sometimes with a wavy line just after the note. If a composer wants lots of vibrato, they may write Molto Vib. or if a plain sound is required, Non Vib.
Comments: Generally vibrato is used sparingly on the bassoon especially in chords.
clip 1 -
bassoon vibrato...
clip 2 -
How vibrato is produced.
clip 3 -
Vibrato notation...
clip 4 -
Vibrato on the contrabassoon.
Different Fingerings
Description: using different fingerings to change the timbre of a given note.
Notation: fingerings may be specified using standard fingering notation.
Comments: It is usual to leave the player to choose the fingering. This is normally done to effect dynamics.
clip 1 -
About different fingerings.
Glissando
Description: A slide in pitch between notes.
Notation: The beginning and end note of the glissando are written and connected by either a straight or a wavy line. Usually the word gliss or glissando will be written above.
Comments: Possible on holed notes, but extremely limited on keyed notes. The contrabassoon has entirely covered holes, so embouchure gliss is the only possibility.
clip 1 -
Available glissandos on the bassoon.
clip 2 -
Glissando on the contrabassoon.
Molto Crescendo
Description: the bassoon produces a more 'reedy' sound as it becomes louder.
Notation: verbal instruction - molto crescendo
clip 1 -
Reedy sound...
Tremolo or 'shake'
Description: a trill or rapid alternation between two notes more than a tone apart.
Notation: thick slanting lines between two notes. The tremolo shown on the left lasts for one beat.
Comments: Most are possible, except for very low on the bassoon. However, shakes over more than a 4th can sound clumsy on a solo instrument.
clip 1 -
Tremolos on the bassoon.
Trills
Description: a rapid alternation between two pitches - either a tone or a semitone apart.
Notation: The example shows a minor trill (semitone) followed by a major trill (whole tone), indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given, players will choose a trill type based on musical context. Wavy lines to indicate the duration of a trill are optional.
Comments: All trills are possible, except low down on the bassoon and the contra. Timbral trills are also possible.
clip 1 -
Trills on the contrabassoon.
clip 2 -
Timbral trills...