SYLLABUS
Tulsa Community College
Spring 2015
Applied Study in Bassoon
Course ID
MUS 1191
MUS 1192
MUS 1451
MUS 1452
Section
366
366
301
301
CRN
20514
20558
20739
20741
Non-Major or Major
Non Major
Non Major
Major (but Bsn as a 2nd instrument)
Major
Credit
1
2
1
2
Lesson Length
½ hour
1 hour
½ hour
1 hour
Course Date and Time: TBD Call Instructor to arrange. I prefer to schedule lessons during the “lunch hour” (noon-2pm).
Start/End Dates: Classes start 1/5/2015. Final Jury is 4/29/2015.
Instructor:
Mr. James Fellows
Room 62656A
918.595.7786 (office, and voice mail)
918.812.2683 (cell)
918.366.4770 (home), jim.fellows@tulsacc.edu
To contact the Division Office:
Performing Arts
Kelly Clark, Dean of Performing Arts
Room 6267
918.595.7752
To Contact Academic and Campus Services:
Susan Burlew, Director of Academic and Campus Services
Room 2202
918.595.7673
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Private bassoon instruction with an emphasis on tone, scales, etudes, and other rudimentary devices. Instruction
on adjusting reeds to the performer's specifications will be covered in and out of lessons. Each student will receive a lesson every week.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: To encourage musical growth and independence through the development of good practice habits, critical thinking
and artistic performance.
PRACTICE: Progress does not occur during your lessons, but rather during the practice time you put in between lessons. For me to be able
to teach you most effectively, you must have all assigned music learned for lessons. Lessons are not guided practice sessions, and students
will be dismissed and lessons forfeited if not prepared. Students should commit to designing a regular daily practice schedule, and stick
to it like any other course or work schedule (practice is your homework). A MINIMUM of 1 hour of practice per day/6 days per week is
expected of music majors. Your practice and preparation will be reflected in your grade.
CURRICULUM: Contact me first regarding your practice materials. Unless otherwise directed, immediately obtain the Weissenborn Method
for Bassoon (Carl Fisher/catalog #CU 96, the Bettoney version, NOT the Ambrosio edition titled Practical Method)—this edition includes the
25 Studies in Scales and Chords, Op. 24, by L. Milde, as well as the Weissenborn Fifty Bassoon Studies Op. 8, Vol. 2. If you already own
the Practical Method, please purchase the Milde and Weissenborn Fifty Studies separately. Lesson assignments may include any/all of the
following: scale studies, etudes, special exercises, solos, band/orchestra material, reed making/adjustments. When an assignment is made,
the student must obtain the necessary music, prepare it, and bring it to the next lesson. Excessive delay in obtaining music will result in low
lesson grades until the music is obtained. Music should order from the following sources (music is generally in stock, and they ship
immediately): Trevco Music 941.907.6944; www.sheetmusicplus.com; Eble Music 319.338.0313. Students are also encouraged to attend
concert(s) performances by local artists and/or groups (note the TCC requirement for concert attendance in the section below titled
Bassoon Majors in MUS 1452).
BASSOON MAJORS IN MUS 1452: You are required to play for juries each semester enrolled, and to perform at 1 recital class during each
semester (please see your Music Student Handbook for specifics—available in Room 6267). Note that you must also register for a non-credit
course, Recital Class, MUS 1030 301 15572, and attend ten (10) performances per semester. Check with the Performing Arts Office (and
the Music Student Handbook) for more information.
Jury requirements include 1 etude/solo work from the current semester’s work, and two (2) octave scales ijj and arpeggios (itriplets):
 1st year students, all major scales and arpeggios (=72);
 2nd year students, all major scales/arpeggios (=80) AND minor scales/arpeggios (harmonic minor, =72).
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS/RESOURCES: You will need a lesson notebook with which you will keep lesson notes and assignments. While
reed making is not a requisite skill for the educator, the ability to improve commercially available reeds is a necessary skill. The following
reed tools are required of Majors: short mandrel, reed pliers, files, plaque, 22 gauge soft brass wire, assorted wet/dry sandpaper, reed knife,
end cutters, reamer—inexpensive options are available for some of these. Please ask for recommendations if you do not own these tools,
or would like to explore options. In addition, two “coaches” are required for your practice time—a tuner and a metronome are essential
tools in the pursuit of the many skills and insights necessary to maintain and improve one’s abilities on the bassoon. (Suggestions of Korg
CA 30 tuner and Roland metronomes due to their ability for sub-beat patterns). Reeds: Note that reeds available from local retail outlets
have not been found to be acceptable. If the student does not make their own reeds, I offer the following suggestions and sources: Singin’
Dog Reeds--Model BRDC ($18, and is very good), www.singindog.com 281.208.2211; Vigdar Reeds (www.vigderreeds.com) I recommend
the C Medium--$16.75; These prices posted 8/2012. If you order by telephone, you can verify availability of stock. Order a minimum of 2
reeds at a time.
SCHEDULING: Contact me as early as possible, even before classes begin, to schedule a lesson time. A weekly lesson time will be mutually
agreed upon by the instructor and student. Lesson times may vary from week to week, depending on my performance calendar. Students
are strongly advised to keep calendar and consult it frequently. I rely on accurate and complete schedules from the student to determine
lesson times. If your schedule changes, please give me a new schedule as soon as possible.
ATTENDANCE: You are expected to be punctual for lessons. 24 hours notice is necessary for cancellation of lesson. With this notice, missed lessons
will be rescheduled before the end of the semester. Failure to call in advance (or as soon as possible following any absence caused by an
emergency situation) will be classified as an un-excused absence, cannot be rescheduled, and will result in a failing grade for that lesson.
EVALUATION: Students are given a weekly grade based on lesson preparation (practice) and attendance, and are welcome to ask about
their progress and current grade status at any point during the semester. Proficiency is gained only through daily practice, and it is
expected. Music majors are required to perform on a music dept recital, as well as perform for a jury each semester. The jury is optional for
non-majors. Lessons and jury grades are weighted equally. Jury exams will include scales and a prepared solo or etude. Letter grades
indicate the following:
A
thorough preparation of all assignments, excellent effort demonstrated;
B
preparation of all assignments, but with some aspects not thoroughly learned, good effort demonstrated;
C
some assignments not prepared, effort demonstrated;
D
student un prepared;
F
unexcused absence.
COURSE WITHDRAWAL: The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 of the semester duration of any class. Check the
TCC Academic Calendar for the deadline that applies to the course(s). Begin the process with a discussion with the faculty member
assigned to the course. Contact the Advisement Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change
from Credit to Audit. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from a course after the drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for
the current and future semesters. Students may receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a balance due to TCC.
Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid
consequences for the student.
COMMUNICATIONS: Email—All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address (ex. Jane.doe@mail.tulsacc.edu). All
communications to you about TCC and course assignments will be sent to your MyTCC email address, and you must use MyTCC email to
send email to, and receive email from, the instructor regarding this class.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or Emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation
notices to radio and television stations. The information is also posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu).
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS: General education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that
comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education
goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
CLASSROOM/STUDIO ETIQUETTE: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during
classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and the ability to learn from each
other. Use of any electronic device is at the discretion of the instructor. Please reference your TCC Student Handbook.
SYLLABUS CHANGES: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the syllabus in
writing.
DISABILITY RESOURCES: It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning environments.
Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at eac@tulsacc.edu or call (918)
595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of one’s own work or about the work of another.
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa
Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions
delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of
academic dishonesty a faculty member may require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a
substitute assignment or test; record a “zero” for the assignment or test in question; recommend to the student that the student withdraw
from the class, or administratively withdraw the student from the class; record a grade of “F” for the student at the end of the semester.
Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such a request to the Dean
of Student Services.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, TCC
Student Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. Adherence to the Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook is
expected. All information may be viewed on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu
TOBACCO FREE COLLEGE: Tulsa Community College is a Tobacco Free college in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order
2012-01 and Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 1-1523 which prohibits smoking or the use of any tobacco products in all public
places, in any indoor workplace, and all vehicles owned by the State of Oklahoma and all of its agencies and instrumentalities. This Order
includes property leased, rented, or owned by TCC including, but not limited to, all grounds, buildings, facilities, and parking lots. Tulsa
Community College’s policy includes a tobacco free environment on all campus and off-campus locations conducting TCC credit or noncredit classes. The TCC Campus Police is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Tobacco-Free Environment Policy. Violations of
the policy may be addressed through issuance of campus or state citations.
BASSOON RESOURCES
Benson Bell Bassoons
Charles Double Reed
Christlieb Products
Edmund Nielson Woodwinds
Forrests Music
Fox Products
Frederick Weiner Music
Wilhelm Heckel
M D Reed Products
Miller Marketing
NJN Bassoon Products
Hodge Products
Prestini
Puchner
RDG Woodwinds
Singin’ Dog
Trevco Music
Vigdar’s Bassoon Supplies
Wichita Band
Womble Williams
Woodwind and Brasswind
http://www.bellbassoons.com/
New instruments, profiler, shapers
http://www.charlesmusic.com
Supplies, tools, new/used instruments
http://www.christliebproducts.com/
Supplies, tools
http://www.nielsen-woodwinds.com/
Supplies, tools
http://www.forrestsmusic.com/
Supplies, tools, new/used instruments
http://www.foxproducts.com/
New instruments
http://shop.weinermusic.com/
Supplies, tools, new instruments
http://www.heckel.de/en/default.htm
New instruments
http://www.mdreedproducts.com/index.html Profiler, dial indicator
http://www.millermarketingco.com/
Supplies, tools, new/used instruments, (tip profiler)
http://www.njnbassoon.com/
Supplies, tools, new instruments
http://www.hodgeproductsinc.com/store2/ Supplies, tools
http://www.prestiniusa.com/main.html
Tools
http://www.puchner.com/en/
New instruments
http://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/
Supplies, tools, new/used instruments
http://www.singindog.com/
Supplies, tools
http://www.trevcomusic.com/
Sheet music
http://www.vigderreeds.com/
Reeds
http://www.wichitaband.com/
New/used instruments
http://www.womblewilliams.com/
Supplies, tools, new instruments
http://www.wwbw.com/
Supplies, tools, new insturuments
Suggested Reference Books:
Essentials of Bassoon Technique
Bassoon Performance Practice, Teaching Materials, Techniques and Methods
The Art of Bassoon Playing
Bassoon Reed Making
The Bassoon Reed Manual—Lou Skinner’s Theories and Techniques
Sound in Motion—A Performer’s Guide to Greater Musical Expression
Note Grouping—A Method for Achieving Expression and Style in Musical Performance
The Bassoon and Contrabassoon
Notes on the Bassoon Reed
Playing (less) Hurt
You Are Your Instrument—The Definitive Musicians Guide to Practice and Performance
Organizations:
International Double Reed Society
Music Educators National Conference
http://www.idrs.org
http://www.menc.org
Lewis Hugh Cooper, Howard Toplansky
Marc Apfelstadt and Ronald Klimko
William Spencer
Mark Popkin and Loren Glickman
James McKay
David McGill
James Morgan Thurmon
Lindsay Langwell
Don Christlieb
Janet Horvath
Julie Lyonn Lieberman