Band Today, Part 2: Bassoon Book

Ployhar's intermediate method books strike a genuine balance between musical substance and pedagogical clarity. Band Today, Part 2 builds on foundational skills without sacrificing engaging repertoire or meaningful musicianship work; bassoon players get real, playable material that teaches them how to function within the ensemble rather than just exercises in isolation.

Straightforward and purposeful. Ployhar writes with clarity of intent; each exercise and piece has a specific musical or technical goal, and the progression respects how young bassoonists actually develop rather than jumping around tonally or rhythmically. The material feels achievable without being patronizing.

Intermediate bassoonists who have completed foundational instruction and are ready to function as full participants in a concert band setting. This book serves students in their second or third year of playing who need guidance on musicianship, tone production, and ensemble integration without overly complex technical demands.

• Establish a consistent embouchure from the start of each rehearsal by isolating long tones in the first few minutes; bassoon intonation responds directly to air support and reed stability, both of which benefit from this warm-up routine.
• Balance dynamic control across the register by thinking about the air stream rather than jaw tension; younger bassoonists often overthink their embouchure when a simple adjustment to air pressure solves most volume and pitch problems.
• Mark fingering combinations and fork fingerings in pencil during your first read-through; Ployhar's intermediate repertoire introduces technical material that requires deliberate planning before rehearsals.

Use this as your core method book for second-year bassoonists during the rehearsal rotation when woodwind sectionals focus on intermediate technique and ensemble tone. The 32-page format pairs well with full-band repertoire, providing targeted skill-building that transfers directly into concert pieces your band is preparing.

• Building consistent embouchure control across the range
• Reading and executing rhythmic patterns common in band literature
• Developing proper breath support for sustained tone
• Understanding dynamic shaping and phrasing within ensemble context
• Mastering intermediate articulation techniques
• Improving intonation through systematic ear training