Playing the bassoon takes a lot of lung

It takes a big breath to fill the tubing inside a bassoon; it's more than 7 feet long.
Courtesy Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Do you get out of breath if you run around a lot? Then you know how important it is for athletes to have good lungs. Singers and musicians who play wind instruments such as the flute, clarinet, oboe and bassoon also need good lungs and breath control.

The bassoon is a good example of a wind instrument that takes a lot of wind. It has inside tubing that could outstretch Laker Shaquille O'Neal.

The bassoon actually started out as a straight instrument. A musician had to stand on a ladder to play it! Now the tubing is twisted to make a U-shape, so the bassoonist can sit in a chair while playing.

Some bassoonists can play the instrument for up to 19 minutes without stopping to take a breath. This is a special technique called "circular breathing" and takes a lot of practice. Kenneth Munday, who plays the bassoon for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, can do it.

How do you measure up?
Get a ball of string, a ruler or tape measure and blunt-edge scissors. Stretch the string out on the floor, measure 7 feet, 4 1/2 inches and cut. This is the same length as the tubing in a bassoon. Lie down next to the string and notice how much shorter you are than the string.

Next, fold the string in half. Is it still longer than you are tall? If so, the tubing in a bassoon is more than twice your height. Imagine trying to blow air through something that long.

Now, stand up and take a deep breath. Blow the air out slowly and softly through your mouth. Try to blow out all the air. Ask a friend to time how long it takes you to blow it all out. (Do this only once or it might make you dizzy.) How close did you get to Kenneth Munday's 19 minutes?

For more musical fun, visit the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra website at www.lacokids.org.

Top of Page