As of: February 12, 2024, 7:00 p.m
Comments
Press
Split
Elicits soft, velvety and warm tones from the bassoon: student Jakob Schäfer with his teacher Susanne Vos.
© Hermsdorf-Hiss
Jakob Schäfer is one of three students who is learning bassoon at the music school in Geretsried.
Every day the 12-year-old practices on a replica, historical instrument.
Geretsried – It is relatively heavy, unwieldy and not exactly an everyday instrument.
Only two students and one student, twelve-year-old Jakob Schäfer, are currently learning the bassoon at the music school.
His teacher, the Dutchwoman Sanne Vos, plays a replica, historical bassoon of the kind used in the 16th century.
This instrument sounds like it did in the time of Johann Sebastian Bach, says the musical director of the music school, who also teaches the recorder.
As one of three students: Jakob Schäfern learns bassoon at the music school
The bassoon is the lowest instrument of the woodwind group and is one of the so-called double reed instruments because of the mouthpiece.
It is related to the oboe.
Jakob holds the bassoon, which is over half a meter long - it is a smaller version made especially for young people - at an angle in front of his body, with his left hand at the top and his right hand at the bottom.
The left hand operates the finger holes and the flaps on the grand piano and the bass tube, the right hand controls the flaps on the boot.
Due to its size and weight, the bassoon needs to be supported while playing.
Jacob therefore uses a carrying strap that is placed around his shoulders and hooked to an eyelet on his boot.
The high school student has been learning the bassoon for two and a half years.
When he visits our newspaper, he shows how the sound is produced.
Jakob blows strongly into the pipe, which transfers the air to the wing via the S-bend.
From there it moves into one part of the boot.
At the very bottom, after a hairpin bend in the other part, it returns upwards into the slightly conical bass bar and ends at the top in the bell.
In the duet with Sanne Vos you can hear how well the twelve-year-old has already mastered his instrument - a loan from the music school.
The tenor and bass tones sound soft, velvety and warm, sometimes a bit heavy and dark.
Jakob Schäfer is learning the bassoon in Geretsried - he comes from a musical family
What the cello is to the strings, the bassoon is to the wind instruments, says Vos.
The lowest note is double B, the highest an e or even g.
The literature is diverse and ranges from classic Mozart symphonies and Bach pieces to modern works.
The bassoon sometimes replaces the bass guitar.
In any case, it is a popular element in orchestras and chamber music ensembles.
“If you ever take part in a student orchestra, you will be in great demand as a bassoonist,” Vos encourages her student to stick with it.
But she doesn't actually need that.
(Our Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter regularly informs you about all important stories from your region. Sign up here.)
The scion of a musical family - his father Benjamin Schäfer is a teacher of guitar, piano and double bass at the music school and a member of the band max.bab - is not thinking of giving up the bassoon, even though he has also recently learned to play the bass recorder.
Jakob attends the high school's wind class under the direction of Alfred Menzinger, which has been successfully cooperating with the music school for years.
“I came across the bassoon at the music school’s open day.
I tried it out and immediately enjoyed it,” says the boy, explaining how he came to his passion.
My news
Shots in Geretsried: Police arrest three young people - and secure several weapons
“People are literally craving it”: Upgrade for Geretsried’s nightlife with three new pubs
Carnival joy despite the drizzle: That was reading “Wolfratshausen Narrisch”.
“It's desperate”: Homeless people wander helplessly through the old town - placement in a psychiatric hospital fails
1 hour ago
“The AfD would remigrate me”: Wolfratshauser is planning a demo against legal reading
“Bride” from Tyrol for 2000 euros: Expensive wood auctioned off on Lake Starnberg
I came across the bassoon at the music school's open day.
I tried it out and immediately enjoyed it.
Jacob Schäfer
Daily practice is essential for tonally beautiful and satisfying playing, says his teacher.
Abdominal muscles, lip mobility and tongue thrust have to be trained, similar to sports: “This is real fitness training.” The instrument made of maple wood and brass is expensive.
“A new one costs around 5,000 euros,” says Vos.
She often makes the reeds for the mouthpiece, which is changed regularly, herself with Jakob.
To make the reeds soft and pliable, they are soaked in water overnight.
Vos still has free places for lessons on her favorite instrument, including the historical one with which she performs in various groups throughout Germany and the Netherlands.
She hopes to continue working with the wind music class, which is offered in the fifth and sixth grades.
“This means that the students achieve success relatively quickly and have the opportunity to work together, which of course motivates them.”
By Tanja Lühr
You can read the latest news from the Wolfratshausen/Geretsried region here.