Middle school is a time when students usually decide to pick up an instrument. Some choose the trumpet, flute, clarinet or even the triangle, if they are feeling bold. But one ASU grad student picked an instrument that was just as tall as he was, and he continues to play it as a hobby today.
Joe Pritchard, a graduate student studying architecture, was in the sixth grade when he became interested in playing the bassoon, an instrument he considers something completely different.
“Technique-wise with the different combinations with fingerings, it’s kind of difficult.” Pritchard says. “There’s a lot of subtlety and conditioning that goes into how you play it.”
When he started in middle school, Joe says his fingers were too small to actually play it, so he started with the clarinet. Now 11 years later, Joe says he still plays the bassoon on the side.
“I usually play on the weekends, but during this past summer I played every day,” Pritchard says.
One of the most famous examples of the bassoon is in the animated short, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from the movie “Fantasia.” Joe says the rhythmic sounds of the broomsticks carrying pails of water are created by the bassoon.
One of the more difficult aspects concerning the bassoon, Pritchard says, is having to make his own reeds, because the process is time consuming. Though he puts in a lot of time in the instrument he says the experience is very rewarding.
“Just being able to release from school and play for half an hour is a very positive aspect.”
For now, Pritchard just plays on the side as a break from his daily grind of studying. Though he has no future plans in implementing the instrument professionally, he says it’s an escape he can always resort to.
“I think I’ll continue to play as long as I have a bassoon to play on,” Pritchard says. “I’ll defiantly play as long as I can.”
Reach the reporter at gralbovs@asu.edu..
