This is the decision that is tearing my mind apart (!!!). First note that where I live (southern Ontario) their is only 1 band (concert i think) and every year the bands (Junior and Senior) go to Heritage festivals to compete. Also, high school = gr 9-12. Junior band is 9+10, senior is 11+12.

O.K. here goes.

I started off in grade 9 (this past year) and I took grade 10 flute (beause I`ve already had experience with it).

How it works is he gave me a grade 9 credit, so I have to do grade 10 music again next year, but he whispered to me later that he might move me into the grade 11 class. Also when my dad discussed bassoon with him for the umpteenth time a couple days ago (my dad works @ school) my teacher said that he wanted me to be 1st flute (higher notes? hope so) in senior band next year. First of all, I`m still a junior (gr 9/10), so its 1 year early, and on top of that I`m getting the often fought over spot in first flute.
To top that, the senior band cometion they will be attending is in Puerto Rico.

If I choose to play bassoon in the course, I automatically forfeit the thought of being in the senior b. next year and Puerto Rico. Due to misbehaviour, the juniour band will not be going to the same place as the senior band, probably Utah

And, he knows next to nothing about bassoons, so he cant help me much there. I have found a bassoonist who gives lessons, about 1/2 hr away.

Guys, is it really worth it to play bassoon in curriculum next year, or should I just do it as a side thing? What do you think?

and if i am too continue with flute, is it even worth buyin a bassoon?

Disclaimer: This is just advice and i may not be blamed if u decide to take it and do not like it

lol

I dont think its worth the trouble to be in a worse band and to drive 30 min to learn bassoon b/c u cant get help at skool so u basically only have one lesson a week to get help

stick with the flute and maybe u could play bassoon on the side or in college or somting

hope this helps

DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion, and if you crash and burn because of my opinion, you can`t sue me or anything like that.

If your teacher wants you to be 1st chair flute for senior band (when you`re sill in junior band), I think you should go for it. And although the senior band members might pick on you and insult you, it`s still a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you really want to do bassoon, I say go ahead for private lessons. If you don`t really want to do it, wait for college or later.
Summary: keep doing flute. If you want to do bassoon, do it on the side.

Hope my advice helps.
EK

I thought that every responding would be saying to play bassoon, due to this being a bassoon forum. 30 minute drive is your opinion, that`s my drive, and your band director doesn`t need to know anything, you are supposed to practice! So you should just decide if its worth it to go down in band, but you should only if you like the bassoon more, and of course as i`m certain you hear non-stop, colleges.

Jake

disclaimer: if you do what I say, it`s your own fault that you`l be better off.

Stick with flute. Nothing wrong with being good. Listen, my freshmen year I was second chair senior band (though i play sax not flute. I don`t think the seniors will be mad or anything, that`d be ridiculas. we`re talking 1st chair here, prestigus and quite simply fun, though you have to take some resposibility for your section. now, even as second chair I got solos, and managed to take a soprano part with loads of solos, becasue I was the best at soprano. Now, i didn`t get to go to puerto rico, but that would`ve obviously rocked. AND, your a junior, were as I was a freshmen; or rather freshmeat. so, don`t let this opurtunity go. take it.

anyone else?

Note that in our area, we dn`t have abnd chairs, just 1st and 2nd, plus sometimes 3rd for an instrument. There are no chairs or rating systems from what I know.

On the negative side, lessons would be 1 1/2 hours away, although I was only planning on getting a couple starting lessons anyways, so this is not a problem.

before you actually even start considering bassoon you should give it a whirl. . . i really like the bassoon but they create sound differently and have a really weird embrochere(sry for mispelling). but hear the sound AWESOME and you will probally be 1st chair bassoon anyways i mean how many people play bassoon at your school!?!?

lol no-one, they havent even heard of it