We have the instrument put together. Now how do we hold it? 
We will break it down in this order Right Hand, Left Hand and Instrument to Body.
Right Hand
  1. Create a relaxed "C" with your hand. 
  2. Hover your Thumb over the low E key
  3. Place your first 3 fingers down on each of the tone holes of the boot joint. Hover your pinky over the F key (resonance key). See the pictures below.
Thumb over low E key
Right Hand Finger Placement
Left Hand
  1. Create a relaxed "C" with your hand. 
  2. Hover your Thumb over the whisper key.
  3. Place your first 3 fingers down on each of the tone holes of the Lower Joint. Hover your pinky over the Eb key (resonance key). See the pictures to the right.
NOTE: If the seat strap is set up correctly, hardly any weight of the bassoon should be held in the left hand.
Left thumb over the whisper key
Left Hand Finger Placement
Instrument to Body​
Remember the phrase: "1, 2, bring the instrument to you." Our posture is set, our hands are in place and we can now bring the instrument to us.
1. Check that the seat strap is on the front 1/4 of the chair and then slide hips back as far as possible, back will touch the chair.
2. Be sure the bassoon is attached to the seat strap and then bring the bassoon to you, making one half of an "X" across their body. See the pictures to the right.
        - NOTE: Keep your body facing straight forward. There should be no twists in your shoulder or torso.
3. The reed should touch the top of the “soul patch” zone under your bottom lip.
        - If the bocal & reed is too low, pull the seat strap to the left.
​          - If the bocal & reed is too high, pull the seat strap to the right.
4. Slightly lower your head to place the reed in your embouchure.
Correct
Too Low
Solution: Pull the seat strap to the left.
Too High
Solution: Pull the seat strap to the right.
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