There's so much you can put into a book about the bassoon. My aim in writing this book was to use my own experience - as a bassoon player and a repairer - as starting point. So, this is not a guide to playing the bassoon, although the chapters on breath control and embouchure will certainly give you some ideas for working on your playing technique. The section on reeds will help you to find your own way in reed making and, after reading the information on the ergonomics of playing, you will realise how you use (or possibly misuse!) your body. This is first and foremost a book on 'How to get the most out of your bassoon' by caring for it in the best possible way. The book contains many useful tips as well as background information on how to handle, maintain and repair your instrument. I hope you enjoy reading and using this practical handbook.

"A Bundle of Joy", a practical handbook for the bassoon, measures 24 x 17 cm and has a volume of 120 pages. The book is highly illustrated in black and white as well as in colour and it is beautiful designed by Harald Slaterus.  ISNB numbers is 9789077204474. The book can be ordered at FagotAtelier Maarten Vonk or look for a dealer at nearby: Dealers USA, Dealers Great Britain, Dealers Germany.  Do you want to be a dealer too?  please contact us. Maarten Vonk

“I have read “A Bundle of Joy” with great pleasure. I can recommend this book to every bassoonist, amateur or professional. It gives you an extremely bright few on all sorts of technical, practical as well as historical components. Maarten Vonk takes you, in a very personal way, to every aspect of the bassoon and its play. I wish I had the opportunity to have read this when I started to play the bassoon.” Brian Pollard, The Netherland “I am particularly impressed with Maarten Vonk's natural way of expressing the principles and ideas he presents - in the history, acoustics, beginning bassoon study, reed making and jazz bassoon avenues. I am happy to testify that Maarten Vonk's bassoon book, "A Bundle of Joy is the most enjoyable book that I ever have studied on this topic!” Gerald Corey, Canada “I have read it all, and it is really good. Congratulations!!!”. Jesse Read, Canada “Our author is an experienced professional, both as performer and craftsman-inventor. Being a repairman gives him not only a unique understanding of the inner workings of the bassoon, but a close relationship with those who play it.” William Waterhouse, UK

^Top                                      Dealers USA Wholesaler and dealer: Miller Marketing Co PO Box 822 Wayne, PA 19087 E miller445@aol.com W millermarketingco.com Hodgeproducts Inc 5134 Cub Creek Road, Roseland, VA 22967  E ann@hodgeproductsinc.com W www.hodgeproductsinc.com Midwest Musical Imports 2021 East Heneepin Ave, suite 374 Minneapolis, MN 55413 E mmi@mmimports.com  W www.mmimports.com American Bassoon Company 8642 Tower Drive Laurel, MD 20723 E ambsnbct@comcast.net W americanbassoon.net Forrests Music 1849 University Ave Berkeley, CA 94703 W www.forrestsmusic.com Henry Skolnick 7477 Hoover Ave Richmond Heights, MO 63117 E hskolnick@charter.net Van Cott Information Services Inc. PO Box 9569 Las Vegas, NV 89191 702-438-2102 FAX 801-650-1719 W www.vcisinc.com E info@vcisinc.com

^Top                                   Dealers Great Britain Howarth of London 31-35 Chiltern St London W1U 7PN United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7935 2407 Fax: +44 20 7224 2564 E sales@howarth.uk.com W www.howarth.uk.com Graham Salvage 54, Ack Lane East, Bramhall, Stockport. Cheshire. SK7 2BY Tel: 0161-439-8251 Mobile: 07939-049091 E: g.salvage@ntlworld.com    ^Top                                 Dealers Deutschland Pro Reeds Ricardo Döringer Kazmairstrasse 16 Rg 80339 München Deutschland T +49 (0)89 51009341 F +49 (0)89 51009342 I info@proreeds.de W www.proreeds.de KREEDO GbR Cristel Krebs Buber-Neumann-Weg 68 60439 Frankfurt am Main Deutschland T +49 (0)69 57000547 F +49 (0)69 57000548 W www.kreedo.de   Dealer Finland F-Musiikki Oy PL 260 Kaisaniemenkatu 7 00100 Helsinki   www.f-musiikki.fi