Bocals come in three common lengths, with
2 being standard, 1 being shorter (sharper) and 3 being longer (flatter). There
are also the rarer sizes of the longer 4 and the shorter 0 and 00. It
harms response to pull the bocal out because of the "bubble" created
in the receiving tube.
Temperature: cold
= flat, hot = sharp
Reed
strength: hard
reed = sharp, soft reed = flat
Embouchure: (usually
directly related to reed strength) loose embouchure = flat,
pinched embouchure = sharp
Range: lower notes
are sharp on many bassoons, but the bass joint can be pulled a
little from the boot, because there is not bridge key between those
two joints. High range depends on too many factors
too generalize.
Dynamic
range: Hard
to answer this one! Experienced players flatten in extremely
loud dynamics. Softer dynamics are harder to generalize. Young players
usually do not have a wide dynamic range, and the problem
of flatting in a diminuendo is really caused by reed, air
and embouchure.
The Texas School Music Project is a source for ideas
and information concerning pedagogical practices in the music classroom
or rehearsal hall.
The TSMP is a service provided to all music specialists by the faculty
of the School of Music at Stephen
F. Austin State University.