Top 5 Rock Song Covers (Played On The Bassoon)

The bassoon may not be in the same category as the electric guitar or drumkit when it comes to the genre of rock music, but that hasn't stopped numerous musicians from covering their favourite rock songs on the bassoon and uploading the results onto YouTube.

Here are our Top 5 rock songs covered using bassoons...

1) Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Four bassoonists from University of Wisconsin-Madison - Brian Ellingboe, Dave Wells, Theresa Koenig and Marc Vallon - play a cracking rendition of arguably Freddie Mercury's band's finest musical moment.

2) The Who's "Baba O'Riley"

Jeff Burke is a Canadian bassoonist who busks in Toronto's subway stations. In addition to playing a number of unusual covers on the bassoon, including songs by Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against The Machine, he's been filmed playing a wonderful rendition of The Who's "Baba O'Riley" (famous these days for its appearance as the theme music for the TV show CSI: New York), which seems to work really well on the bassoon.

3) Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train"

At only 13-years-old at the time that this video was recorded (in 2011), YouTube user jmurphy1719's only contribution to the video sharing site is this cover of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train," which the infamous Ozzy recorded and performed after he left Black Sabbath.

4) Coldplay's "The Scientist"

YouTuber bassoonarama recorded a number of bassoon covers a couple of years ago - mostly pop songs including songs by Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson. While Coldplay are not quite pop music (but about as close to pop as you can get), we really like this cover of "The Scientist." There's a bit of a long intro, so if you want to jump straight to the music, you'll want to fast-forward to around the 1:25 mark.

5) Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'"

Last but not least is the only video in our Top 5 to include other instruments beside the bassoon. Accompanied by an acoustic guitar and a keyboard being used as a drum machine, these guys rock the Journey classic, which achieved a revived fame a few years ago when it was covered on the TV show Glee.

And that's it! What's the best rock song that you've heard covered on a bassoon? Please let us know in the comments below.

Old Moennig Bassoons - Best Buy or Best Avoided?

Wowzers! The Gebrüder Mönnig 208 bassoon. What can we say? It is one of the most well known bassoons ever made. It has become a classic, and with its accurate intonation and free blowing sound it is easy to see why.

The original Moennig Brothers! Hans and Fritz Mönnig

The makers of these bassoons really knew what they were doing. Did you know, instrument making in the Mönnig family goes back to Johann Karl Friedrich Mönnig, born in 1789? Gebrüder Mönnig (In English - The Moennig Brothers) took over the firm in 1906, but their father Heinrich had been making bassoons since 1875!

Incidentally, Hans Mönnig Jr., the son of Hans Mönnig of The Moennig Brothers (photographed here - smile!), moved to America in 1923 and set up business as a repairer. He soon became one of the most respected bassoon technicians in the world, described by Marvin Roth, who knew him, as a legend.

Moennig Model 208 bassoons were originally made as 'student' bassoons. This means that they are at least suitable for an aspiring bassoon student in need a bassoon he/she can rely on. Actually, it may be a surprise, but these bassoons have been, and still are, played professionally by some British players. 

The old model 208 Moennig bassoons are no longer made but they can be exceptional instruments. If you are considering buying one, be sure to choose a nice example, as some of these bassoons were bought by schools and were not well looked after. Here is a picture of a near perfect condition Moennig bassoon we have in stock currently, which sounds quite exceptional for a bassoon that is usually classed as a 'student' instrument. 

Best Buy? I should think so!

Used Moennig Model 208 Bassoon - Double Reed Ltd.

Double Reed Ltd. are bassoon experts. For advice on anything bassoon related, find us at  www.DoubleReed.co.uk