The book is divided into two levels of information, BASIC TECHNIQUE and ADVANCED TECHNIQUE. Fingerings, which carry the label BASIC TECHNIQUE are considered to be the minimal technical knowledge which should be assimilated by a bassoonist before proceeding to expand his mechanical facility through the use of alternate fingerings. Fingerings which carry the label ADVANCED TECHNIQUE generally have some specific application, a certain number of which fingerings are usually an integral part of most accomplished bassoonists' techniques. It is important that these ADVANCED fingerings be neither taught nor attempted until adequate facility with the BASIC fingerings has been accomplished.

Since it is not necessary to use all of the fingerings shown in this book to be a successful performer, the individual bassoonist must select the fingerings which are most suitable for his instrument and approach. Under normal circumstances, a maximum of five or six fingerings for a given pitch is all that is necessary for any player to master most technical passages.

Examples are presented with nearly every fingering in order to demonstrate its application in trills, shakes, and technical passages. This is only to show possible application and is not meant to impose limitation or imply arbitrary use of that fingering. Usually the best solutions to specific problems are found under the fingering presented for that specific purpose.

Fingerings for trills are usually cross-referenced by both upper and lower notes whenever there is modification of one or both fingerings. Generally, however, no examples are shown for trills which require the use of two regular BASIC fingerings. To locate satisfactory trills between any two notes, the best procedure would be to examine all available information regarding both notes and to select the approach most applicable to the individual situation.