Band Today, Part 1: Bassoon Book

Band Today anchors the Contemporary Band Course with methodical progression and musical substance from the first lesson forward. Ployhar's background in orchestration ensures that every exercise builds toward ensemble literacy, not just individual technique, so your students experience real music rather than disconnected drills.

Straightforward and encouraging, this method respects the complexity of the double reed while maintaining forward momentum. Exercises feel purposeful rather than repetitive, grounded in the musical literacy that makes a complete band course coherent.

Band Today is designed for beginning bassoonists in full band classes or private study. The method works equally well for classroom ensemble settings and individual instruction, making it flexible across different program structures.

• Begin with breath control exercises before tackling reed adjustment; a stable air stream solves most intonation issues in the early pages.
• Pair written fingering charts with aural modeling by playing each new note before students attempt it independently.
• Use the full band context whenever possible; solo practice between rehearsals yields far better results when students understand how their part fits the ensemble texture.

Integrate Band Today across your entire first year, pairing it with ensemble rehearsals from the Contemporary Band Course collection so students immediately apply new techniques in musical contexts. The 32-page scope allows for measured pacing while keeping students engaged with actual repertoire.

• Single-reed maintenance and care
• Proper embouchure formation and breath support
• Fingering patterns across the bassoon range
• Note reading in treble clef
• Rhythmic accuracy in basic and compound meters
• Blend and intonation within ensemble settings