saxophone or bassoon?

[rjarsenault1101]

I'm in band, I play the saxophone. I asked my band teacher if I could switch to bassoon, because I was bored, and no longer enjoyed playing the saxophone. it's not really that I hate the saxophone, it's that the music I get is boring, and it isn't fun anymore. and he told me that I still have a long ways to go with the saxophone. He doesn't like to see an unhappy player in his band, yet he didn't let me switch.
  now I have no idea what my intentions were when posting this... so can anyone give some advice as to what to do?

[Bob]

Your band director is going to do in part what's best for the ensemble.  Lacking in saxophones....?  He'd want you to stick with sax.  They can probably survive without a bassoon.  Plus, timewise, he might be the one teaching you bassoon.  And it's possible he might not really know it that well.  You must be in high school or junior high/middle school. 

The sax parts can get a little old.  Maybe he'll pick some more interesting music for you.  Just one alto sax part?  If not, maybe you can alternate who plays which part in your section to keep thing interesting. 

Or maybe switch to a different saxophone?  Tenor or bari?  It's going to cost more if you buy an instrument yourself for that either way -- lower saxophone or bassoon.   (Don't break your bocal.  Haha.)

The higher the level of the ensemble, the more important the ensemble is compared to the individual.  Top tier high school ensemble favors the ensemble vs. beginning band favors the individual student over the ensemble.  Your director might be able to see where you'll end up too in the near future -- Does the high school need a bassoon player?  Or does the school own one bassoon that one student uses and he's already got a student or two picked out to play it?  Of course, you could always buy your own bassoon. 

Another option -- Find more interesting things outside of school for sax.  Take lessons.  Maybe find some other saxes and do duets.  And then suffer through band.  I've seen some afterbeat (and after thought) AS parts.  Yes, dull.  You could focus on playing those as well as they can be played -- In tune/time with everyone else.  Perfectly in tune and time.  Good tone.  There's always more to improve.   Maybe work on solos, etc., take lessons, on your own and then the director will pick more challenging AS music or you'll get a solo.

There's jazz too.  Combos.  Then you play at whatever level you're at.  Sax would probably work better than bassoon for that.

Just some thoughts....

[j_menz]

Also, no bassoonist has ever been elected president. And no-one ever said "I went home with the basson player" unless they were married to them.

[Bob]

... yet.     Haha.

[oxy60]

Great advice by everyone!

I would only add that when a musician is starting out they should try several instruments. Don't be afraid to try something from a totally different family.

[rjarsenault1101]

very interesting advice everyone. thanks I will for sure take into consideration everyone has said.