- Core support refers to the sensation of maintaining the lowered diaphragm achieved through inhalation and channeling power into the tanden (the area below the navel).
- At the moment of tone onset, create a firm level of support; once the tone is established, relax moderately; then re-engage the support at the moment of tone release. This dynamic control of intensity is essential.
- While engaging the abdomen, keep all other areas — hands, shoulders, and joints — completely relaxed. This maximizes both resonance and technical agility.
For bassoonists, the term "core support" is deeply familiar, yet grasping its true nature is far from easy. It is often mistaken for simply tensing the abdominal muscles, but in reality it refers to dynamic core control that works in coordination with breathing. When support functions correctly, you can play the bassoon — a large instrument — for extended periods without fatigue, maintaining complete control from tone onset to release. Without proper support, excess tension creeps into the embouchure and fingers, stifling the instrument's resonance. This article explains the specific methods for building support through awareness of the diaphragm and tanden, and how to vary that support throughout your performance.
Building Core Support for Bassoon: Engaging the Diaphragm and Tanden
The first step in building core support is to feel the diaphragm descend as you take a deep breath. When you inhale fully, the diaphragm beneath the lungs is pushed downward, creating pressure deep in the abdomen — in the area known as the "tanden." You maintain this pressure as you prepare to play. Specifically, four actions must be performed almost simultaneously and in precise order: "inhale," "engage the support," "release the tongue from the reed," and "exhale." Once this sequence becomes fluid, tone onset improves dramatically. Think of support not as mere "rigidity," but as a flexible, spring-like energy that propels the air stream forward.
Controlling Support and the Importance of Relaxation
Support does not need to remain at a constant intensity. In fact, varying it to match the shape of phrases and articulations is the hallmark of professional technique. For example, apply slightly firmer support at the moment of tone onset to launch the sound, then relax somewhat once the tone stabilizes. At the moment of tone release, re-engage the support so that the note ends cleanly rather than sagging. Simply being aware of this "firm-relaxed-firm" cycle will dramatically refine your playing. Most importantly, everything outside the abdomen must remain relaxed. Avoid letting tension in the core spread to the shoulders or fingers. By keeping only the central axis — the abdomen — engaged while allowing the extremities to move freely, you unlock the secret to a rich, resonant bassoon tone.
Refining Your Technique: Daily Training for Handling Fast Passages
Playing fast passages accurately requires not only finger technique but also the robust breath control that underpins it. A recommended daily exercise is to inhale fully into the abdomen and chest over four beats, then exhale at a steady pressure over eight beats. Throughout this exercise, ensure that your core support does not drop off — maintain an even air stream to the very end. Another effective drill is to practice scales in staccato with a metronome, feeling an "abdominal kick" on every note. For the fingers to move quickly, the air must already be driving the instrument ahead of them. Once your support is stable, the burden on your fingers decreases, and you will find yourself playing fast passages with surprising ease.
