Greetings. New to the forum.

My son is a beginning bassoon student in the 6th grade. The school loaner instrument is in pretty rough shape- a common story, I'm guessing. No stores in our area that rent bassoon. While he shows terrific initial motivation and loves to practice, we are not going to make any purchases for at least a year. My son studies privately and plays in the 6th grade band.

I may be able to rent a Renard Model 51 from a nearby city. From my research (and limited understanding!), it appears that the 51 would be a suitable instrument for a beginning young Middle School student. He enjoys playing the school's Model 41.

Any reason that the 41 would be a more suitable instrument? Or, in other words, are there any disadvantages to practicing on a short-reach instrument if his hands can handle a regular instrument? I'm not a woodwind player, so I'm looking for all the advice I can get.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. I will, of course, be discussing this further with my son's teacher as well.

Regards,

bassoonpop

There would be no disadvantages to moving to a standard bassoon provided your son's hands are large enough.

You say that the school instrument is not in good shape. In which case why does the school not pay to have it sorted? Fox bassoons are excellent instruments but, like all complex mechanical devices, need attention to keep them operating correctly. If the school won't fork out, or haven't got, the $$ to have it serviced you might find it more economical in the long run to pay for the work yourself rather than renting for a year or so before buying. Once put in good working order it should be good for many more years with occasional maintenance. Your son will have the use of a good working instrument which can then be used by future students.

Contra448,
Thanks very much for your reply and suggestions. Greatly appreciated.

I understand your comment that there would be no disadvantage to his practicing at home on a Fox Renard Model 41, especially since his hands seem large enough to play the Model 41 during band. I'm wondering whether there might be any disadvantages to his learning and practicing on the Model 51? In other words, if his hands are large enough, is it preferable for him to learn on a regular instrument?

Thanks.

I didn't understand that he appears to only have use of the 41 at school & needs another for use at home. In which case it might be rather confusing to swap between instruments & be extremely frustrating for him to have to play the duff one in school.

I'm in UK & if a pupil has a school instrument they are allowed to take it home. How kids are expected to learn properly without having private practise is beyond me.

I would agree with Contra's suggestion to propose paying for the adjustment/repair on the bassoon - it will probably cost you $500 as an average if it is not too badly bunged up. But I expect that is still cheaper than renting the 51. I wouldn't suggest playing on the school horn and practicing on another, especially if the other is a short reach. The repair tech should be able to get the school horn into decent shape.

Contra, I don't think he meant the child couldn't take the horn home. That would be contrary to all the U.S. school systems I ever heard of. But who knows? Things change.........