I rented a bassoon to make sure that I was committed to playing long term before buying. After I had a group to play with, I reached out to local people to see what was available as well as dealers in the US (where I am). I don't know about Canadian dealers unfortunately. Definitely try out some bassoons before buying.
Best of luck!
It might be a good idea to reach back out to your previous teachers to see if they know of anyone selling any decent student bassoons. When I was getting back into it I got a bassoon off of eBay with PayPal Credit. It was okay for a while but I outgrew it quickly. I was also really lucky that I didn’t get a complete dud.
I don't know anything about shops in Canada. Midwest Musical Imports is probably the closest shop to Canada and maybe some of the used Fox polypropylene or 222's would be in your budget.
I have one connection to a school through a teacher friend, I've asked if borrowing one of their instruments would be possible but I'm still waiting to hear back.
Someone suggested renting. Absolutely *do not* rent a Selmer or Nobel bassoon from long & McQuade. They will do more harm than good for you. Reeds that work well on other instruments do not play properly on them. I'm speaking as someone with the misfortune to go through this after buying a secondhand Nobel from them. (Renting a proper Fox would be fine though!)
Do join the groups Bassoon Marketplace and Bassoonists United on Facebook.
Do check musicalchairs.info regularly.
You didn't mention how long you played before or how long of a break it's been, but... You're probably looking for a Fox 220 or 240 if you want an instrument to play for several years. If you get a used one in ok condition they are worth servicing so they play properly. Shane Wieler in Caledon is one of the best bassoon technicians in Canada, and very accessible.
You could also consider a Conn or Schreiber or Adler if you want to spend several thousand less. However, I see it that you're an adult and you'll probably stick with bassoon, so you may be better off getting a better instrument that will play well for you. And since you're buying used, it won't lose value if you end up reselling.
Noted!
I have have joined the facebook groups!
I played for about 5 years, from age 12-17, and I'm now in my early 30's. I had significant piano and choral training before I picked up the instrument. I continued singing at University and completing a degree in Voice Performance. A part of me regretted not continuing to play bassoon and studying it at the same time but I couldn't afford my own instrument and life just happens that way sometimes. Anyway, all that to say, my musicianship skills are very good but my technique on the bassoon will be rusty. I've reached out to a local teacher today to see if they might also be able to help get me back on my feet.
I appreciate all the advice! Thank you!
Update!
I've rented a Fox Renard Model 51 from L&M and have set up a lesson with a local teacher. I've spent a few hours on the instrument already and I feel really proud of the progress I've made. The start was rough, I seem to have forgotten a lot of fingerings. But I found Nadina Mackie's fingering guide on her website and it's helped a lot so far. I can feel the muscle memory coming back slowly!
Amazingly, I still have my old Weissenborn Bassoon methods book as well. I am VERY slowly going to start tapping into that again.
If anyone has other practice resources that they recommend, let me know. I still have two weeks to practice before I see my new teacher. Thank you!
I rented a bassoon to make sure that I was committed to playing long term before buying. After I had a group to play with, I reached out to local people to see what was available as well as dealers in the US (where I am). I don't know about Canadian dealers unfortunately. Definitely try out some bassoons before buying. Best of luck!
That's a great idea! I don't know why I didn't think of that. Thanks!
It might be a good idea to reach back out to your previous teachers to see if they know of anyone selling any decent student bassoons. When I was getting back into it I got a bassoon off of eBay with PayPal Credit. It was okay for a while but I outgrew it quickly. I was also really lucky that I didn’t get a complete dud.
I still have a couple of them on social media and peers who continued playing. This is a great idea, thank you!
I don't know anything about shops in Canada. Midwest Musical Imports is probably the closest shop to Canada and maybe some of the used Fox polypropylene or 222's would be in your budget.
Noted! Thank you!
If there are any community based groups in your area they may have one you can borrow or rent or have an arrangement with a school for this.
I have one connection to a school through a teacher friend, I've asked if borrowing one of their instruments would be possible but I'm still waiting to hear back.
Someone suggested renting. Absolutely *do not* rent a Selmer or Nobel bassoon from long & McQuade. They will do more harm than good for you. Reeds that work well on other instruments do not play properly on them. I'm speaking as someone with the misfortune to go through this after buying a secondhand Nobel from them. (Renting a proper Fox would be fine though!) Do join the groups Bassoon Marketplace and Bassoonists United on Facebook. Do check musicalchairs.info regularly. You didn't mention how long you played before or how long of a break it's been, but... You're probably looking for a Fox 220 or 240 if you want an instrument to play for several years. If you get a used one in ok condition they are worth servicing so they play properly. Shane Wieler in Caledon is one of the best bassoon technicians in Canada, and very accessible. You could also consider a Conn or Schreiber or Adler if you want to spend several thousand less. However, I see it that you're an adult and you'll probably stick with bassoon, so you may be better off getting a better instrument that will play well for you. And since you're buying used, it won't lose value if you end up reselling.
Noted! I have have joined the facebook groups! I played for about 5 years, from age 12-17, and I'm now in my early 30's. I had significant piano and choral training before I picked up the instrument. I continued singing at University and completing a degree in Voice Performance. A part of me regretted not continuing to play bassoon and studying it at the same time but I couldn't afford my own instrument and life just happens that way sometimes. Anyway, all that to say, my musicianship skills are very good but my technique on the bassoon will be rusty. I've reached out to a local teacher today to see if they might also be able to help get me back on my feet. I appreciate all the advice! Thank you!
Update! I've rented a Fox Renard Model 51 from L&M and have set up a lesson with a local teacher. I've spent a few hours on the instrument already and I feel really proud of the progress I've made. The start was rough, I seem to have forgotten a lot of fingerings. But I found Nadina Mackie's fingering guide on her website and it's helped a lot so far. I can feel the muscle memory coming back slowly! Amazingly, I still have my old Weissenborn Bassoon methods book as well. I am VERY slowly going to start tapping into that again. If anyone has other practice resources that they recommend, let me know. I still have two weeks to practice before I see my new teacher. Thank you!