Bronson York Studio Syllabus

Objectives

To achieve confidence in the fundamentals of playing the bassoon and making reeds. While beginners will not be making their reeds, it is essential that students learn the techniques of adjusting reeds as early as possible. Students will focus on ear training and interval recognition on their instruments as to best prepare a young bassoonist for playing in an ensemble. I put a specific emphasis on finding a comfortable playing position early in learning the bassoon as this is essential in moving forward with fundamentals. More advanced students will have a chance to explain their goals as a bassoonist and a more specific lesson plan will be created. Advanced students will be expected to make at least 5 reeds a month with assistance from myself.

What to Expect

Students can expect to work on scales and etudes weekly as well as an appropriate solo work to be chosen by the student or myself. Theory and aural training will also be studied on a student by student basis. Most importantly as I teach I will strive to make playing the bassoon fun while also maintaining efficiency. Students will gain disciplined and efficient bassooning habits while keeping what makes them passionate about the instrument.

Advanced students will work on common orchestral excerpts every other week and are expected to maintain a balanced practice schedule between all studied materials. Advance students who choose the reed maker schedule will have an extra 30 minutes every other week to either process cane or to scrape on reeds.

Practicing

All students are different and have different expectations from their time playing the bassoon and thus practice should be seen as a personal subject. Expected practice habits will be decided after the first lesson and will be flexible throughout time in my studio. While practice time can be flexible it is essential that students communicate with me about reasons for changing practice habits. Coming into a lesson without having prepared assigned materials will not be excused last minute. 

More importantly students will be expected to know how to practice effectively. This concept will be explored often in lessons as effective use of time is essential for bassoonists of all levels. While I do not necessarily think that practice logs are an essential tool for efficient practice, students may be asked to keep a detailed practice log if I deem it necessary. 

Sample Schedules

*All prices based on lessons given in my home studio, 2597 Onyx St. Eugene OR 97403.

BEGINNER — $200 A MONTH

  • 1 hour long lesson a week. 

  • Five free reeds per year.

  • Student will work on the fundamentals of sound creation, music theory as well as studies in musicality through assigned listenings, etudes, and short songs. Required materials: Weissenborn; Milde Scale Studies op.24.

INTERMEDIATE — $200 A MONTH

  • 1 hour long lesson a week.

  • Five free reeds per year.

  • Continued study in sound creation, music theory, and musicality. Students will start daily sight reading exercises in various forms, i.e. rhythmic exercises, duets, and etudes. Standard solo repertoire will also be studied.

ADVANCED — $225 A MONTH

  • 1 hour long lesson a week as well as one extended (hour and a half) lesson per month for reed help. 

  • Ten free reeds per year

  • Students will start to learn the essentials of reed adjustment. See Advanced info page for more info.

ADVANCED, REED MAKER — $250 A MONTH 

  • 1 hour long lesson every other week, 1 hour and a half long lesson every other week.

  • Ten free reeds per year.

  • Student will be expected to work on reeds every week, but assistance will be given every other week. See Advanced student page for more info on expectations as well as processed cane prices.

REED MAKING ONLY — EMAIL ME FOR PRICING

  • This option is for advanced students only, preferably students with previous reed making experience, though exceptions can be made case by case.

  • 30-60 minute lesson to be scheduled as needed by students.

  • 10% off reeds and orders of processed cane of 10 or more.

CUSTOM

  • Customize the way you learn.

  • 10% off reeds.

  • Expectations will be discussed in a consultation.

30 Minute Lessons

I usually do not offer 30 minute lessons, as I strongly believe that is an insufficient amount of time to truly work on the prescribed materials. Exceptions can be made at my discretion. I will happily make adjustments for students with special needs, though I ask parents meet with me to discuss needed accommodations. When I do allow for 30 minute lessons I do ask that student take extra care to arrive early and ready for their lesson as I cannot guarantee extra time beyond the scheduled 30 minutes.

Summer Lessons

Students are strongly encouraged to continue lessons during the summer. I feel that maintaining lessons and practice habits is extremely important for young players, taking three months off playing your instrument is not conducive with continued growth. If a student chooses not to take lessons through the summer, the student cannot be guaranteed a spot in the studio in the fall.

Cancellations

Any lesson can be canceled with 24 hour notice for a $50 refund. Unfortunately last minute cancellations cannot be refunded. When a lesson is canceled with more then 24 hour notice, that lesson can either be re-scheduled or refunded. All refunds will be done through deducting the money to be refunded from the next months invoice.

Requirements

While I do believe that learning the bassoon should be fun and relaxed, I do have certain expectations from my students. 

  • Students should not only have the utmost respect for my studio and equipment, but for their own equipment as well. All of my tools are specialized and expensive, care must be taken when using them. Equal care for the students own instrument is a must, taking simple steps to care for the instrument on a daily basis will save lots of money and headache in the long run.

  • Students must be honest about practice times. To fall behind in practice is absolutely fine as long as the student is upfront about it. I can more effeciently use the very limited time with each student if I know what has and hasn’t been practiced. I will have a harder time teaching a student if they lie about practice.

  • Most importantly, students should have fun playing the bassoon! Taking breaks is very important especially when getting frustrated. Allowing yourself to have fun while playing the bassoon will keep you sane and able to keep disciplined habits for many years. When feeling frustrated I very much encourage stepping away from the instrument and not pushing through it. 

Supplies

All students are expected to have: silk bassoon swab, seat strap, reed soaking cup, cork grease, metronome/tuner, and one reed case with holes for ventilation. Please email me with questions on where to find these supplies. Some reed making supplies will also be provided to all students at no charge, though it is important to have all necessary materials at home in case of emergency, please see the reed making tools page for more info.

Short Notice Lessons

A short notice lesson is any lesson scheduled with less than 1 week’s notice. Short notice lessons are not usually allowed as my schedule is tight, though exceptions can be made. If a short notice lesson is required please send me an email with the desired day of the lesson and I will respond with my availabilities if any. If you would like to schedule an extra lesson with more than one weeks notice please send me an email with a list of available times.

Extra Lesson - $65

Short Notice Lesson - $80

Emergency lesson* - $50

*An emergency lesson is offered if last minute help is needed on repertoire or reeds before a concert or other performance opportunity. Emergency lessons offered at my discretion. Only available for advanced students.

Payment

Lessons are PRE-PAID. After the first month, you will receive an invoice on the 20th which is due by the 1st. You may pay via Credit Card, cash, or you can mail a check to the address listed on your invoice. Lessons may be discontinued until payments are current, and any missed lessons are not guaranteed to be made up.

Discontinuing Lessons

Students are not necessarily expected to enroll in lessons for the full academic year. Though I do ask for at least one month’s notice in writing prior to discontinuing lessons. Ideally, the decision to discontinue lessons is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can conclude with a positive sense of closure. At the discretion of the teacher, students may be asked to discontinue lessons at any time due to: unpaid tuition, persistent absences, failure to prepare for lessons, failure to honor studio policies, inappropriate or disrespectful behavior. Should any of the above situations occur, parental notification will be given and time will be provided to correct the situation prior to termination. Payments will be discontinued at the time of cancellation, but NO REFUNDS will be offered for pre-paid tuition.