Season 5 Episode 1: José Javier Romero

Summary   In this conversation, José Javier Romero, a bassoonist and reed specialist, discusses his journey in music and his work with the Swiss Orchestra and Georg Rieger GmbH. He shares how he started playing the bassoon and the important lessons he learned from his mentors. José also talks about his favorite concert halls, the bassoon and reeds he plays on, and the common questions and problems people bring to him in his workshops. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the instrument and finding the right balance between the reed and the bassoon. In this conversation, José Javier Romero discusses his approach to reed making and shares insights on various aspects of the process. He provides tips for adjusting reeds to improve their performance in the low register and offers advice on finding the right balance between flexibility and stability. José emphasizes the importance of having an open mind and learning from others in order to grow as a musician. He also discusses his motivation to keep going and shares his upcoming projects and plans.   Takeaways:   ·      Understanding the instrument and finding the right balance between the reed and the bassoon is crucial for a musician. ·      The choice of concert halls can greatly impact the performance experience. ·      The process of making and selecting reeds is highly individual and requires experimentation and understanding of the instrument. ·      Working with a mentor can provide valuable guidance and inspiration in a musician's career. ·      Common questions and problems in reed making include finding the right material, achieving stability and flexibility, and improving articulation and intonation. ·      The reed is a vital component of a musician's sound and can greatly impact the performance. Adjusting the tip of the reed can improve its performance in the low register ·      Finding the right balance between flexibility and stability is crucial for a good reed ·      Having an open mind and learning from others is essential for growth as a musician ·      Finding motivation in the process and striving to be the best version of oneself is key ·      José has upcoming projects with his orchestra and chamber music performances     To find out more about Javier, please visit: https://www.instagram.com/kunfubassoon   Swiss Orchestra: https://swissorchestra.ch/en/musicians   To sign up for the exclusive online reed-making webinar With Javier: https://forms.gle/RqGiupJpE8V3x9uc9  Host: Jo Anne Sukumaran https://www.instagram.com/jewelair2.0/