I’ve transcribed some of my favorite tunes from film, tv, games, and more for bassoon! Can you guess the name of these famous melodies? Try sightreading a mystery song and find out.
Disclosure: Posts may include affiliate links. If you click through and purchase a product, I’ll be compensated at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this website!
Hint: May the stars shine down on you...
Pro-tip: Use the pinky F-sharp fingering to ensure a smooth transition between B-flat and F-sharp.
Hint: Paint my nails, cherry red, match the roses that you left.
Pro-tip: Flick and use focused, fast air to ensure the tenor register notes have good intonation and clear tone.
Hint: Sometimes family weirdos just get a bad rap.
Pro-tip: Use strong air support to encourage the notes above the staff to speak with good tone.
Hint: I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.
Pro-tip: Flick high A, B-flat, and C with the correct left-hand thumb keys to ensure those notes speak clearly with a good tone.
Hint: Every night I lie in bed. The brightest colours fill my head…
Pro Tip: Don’t rush this melody. Count your 8th notes carefully to make sure you hold the notes for the correct length.
Hint: Life here is amazing, just not for the faint of heart.
Pro-tip: Have fun with the grace notes in this piece. They give the melody a lot of character!
Hint: Let’s-a-go!
Pro-Tip: Watch your accidentals carefully in this piece! And don’t skip the repeat on the first line.
Hint: Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter.
Pro-Tip: Check your key signature and adjust your half-hole size for F-sharp. You may need a bigger half hole than usual to play it without cracking.
Hint: These days they call me the Pirate Lord…
Pro-Tip: Watch your accidentals carefully and subdivide triplets to make sure your rhythm is spot on!
Hint: Just remember what your old pal said…
Pro-Tip: Flick and use fast, focused air to ensure all of your notes above the staff speak clearly without cracking or sounding flat.
Hint: A tune from Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown?
Pro-Tip: Follow the articulations carefully in this piece to give a more jazzy, upbeat feel.
Hint: All this fuss over what? is it a hill, is it a mountain?
Pro-Tip: Prepare your high notes by using fast, smooth air. Remember, the bassoon is a WIND instrument, not a LIP instrument.
Hint: What’s the point of being clever if you can’t prove it?
Pro-Tip: This melody has a nice bounce to it! Keep your fingers light and don’t let the notes drag behind.
Hint: It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot.
Pro-Tip: Crescendo as you play through the 16th notes at the end of the melody to help your notes speak and connect.
Hint: I met a girl crazy for me. Met a boy cute as can be.
Pro-Tip: Roll your right-hand pinky from low A-flat to low F and E-flat to make a smooth connection.
Hint: Here’s another curse for you - may all your bacon burn.
Pro-tip: Use your resonance key on half-hole G to help stabilize and lower the pitch so it plays in tune!
Hint: Hello there.
Pro-Tip: The beat stays the same from the 6/8 to the 4/4 section. Don’t forget to Flick your high C’s so they come out clearly!
Hint: Don't be a drag, just be a queen.
Pro-Tip: Flick the correct thumb keys for high C and B-flat to make sure they don’t crack! Or try venting those notes (holding down the thumb keys) to see if that improves your response.
Hint: No one to tell us, "No", Or where to go, Or say we're only dreaming.
Pro-Tip: Be careful with your half-hole going from F to A-flat, it can squeak! Be precise and use a small half hole on your left hand index finger to make a smooth transition.
Hint: She warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within.
Pro-Tip: Be careful with accidentals, especially after the key change!
Hint: You broke my smolder!
Pro-Tip: Add vibrato as needed to make this melody sound connected and sweet.
Hint: “You are without a doubt the worst pirate I’ve ever heard of.”
Pro-Tip: This piece should have strong accents and a bouncy, energetic character.
Hint: “Winter is coming.”
Pro-Tip: Play long, connected phrases. Keep the air moving through the ties!
Hint: “Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me you built a time machine…?”
Pro-Tip: Count the triplet ties carefully! And don’t rush the quarter note triplets.
Hint: But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door.
Pro-Tip: Use fast, focused air on your high D’s to make sure they come out with a clear, stable sound.
Hint: There must have been some magic in that old top hat…
Pro-Tip: Swing your eighth notes and play with a full sound for a more upbeat style.
Hint: From a favorite festive ballet.
Pro-Tip: Check your key and watch your accidentals carefully! There are lots of fun chromatic notes sprinkled in here.
Hint: Snowflakes in the air, carols everywhere.
Pro-Tip: Try using the right-hand pinky G-flat fingering on the second line for a smoother transition from B-flat to G-flat.
Hint: “Bells are ringin’, children singin’, all is merry and bright.”
Pro-Tip: Swing your eighth notes to make the piece feel more jazzy and energetic. Don’t forget to use your pinky on G and flick your B-flats!
Order Sheet Music