Can saxophone or clarinet players learn bassoon?
Many woodwind players eventually become curious about the bassoon, especially those who already play clarinet, saxophone or flute. Because these instruments share some similarities, it is natural to wonder whether the bassoon is a realistic instrument to learn as a second study.
The short answer is yes — saxophone and clarinet players can learn bassoon, but the transition is not always as straightforward as people expect.
One of the main differences is the fingering system. While clarinet and saxophone use relatively logical and consistent key layouts, the bassoon has a more specialised system with additional keys and alternative fingerings that take time to memorise. The use of a double reed also makes the instrument feel very different from single-reed woodwinds, particularly when it comes to tone production and breath control.
The size and balance of the bassoon can also be unfamiliar at first. Players who are used to holding a clarinet or saxophone may find the bassoon requires a different posture and more support, which can make the first few weeks of playing feel more demanding.
However, players who already understand music reading, phrasing and breath support often progress faster than complete beginners. Many adult musicians successfully learn bassoon later on, especially if they have experience on another woodwind instrument.
In recent years, new instrument designs have made this transition easier. One example is the Densoon assisted fingering bassoon, which keeps the traditional bassoon sound but uses an assisted key system that feels more intuitive for players coming from flute, clarinet or saxophone. Because less pressure is needed to operate the keys, the instrument can also feel more comfortable for doubling or occasional use.
At Woodwind London, the Densoon assisted fingering bassoon is available for play test at our Muswell Hill workshop, and we are always happy to advise players who are thinking about adding bassoon to their instrument list.
