Bassoon and Oboe Straps

The bassoon is a long, heavy instrument, so you do not carry its full weight in your hands when you play – a seat strap, shoulder strap or harness supports it. The oboe is lighter, but a neck strap takes the strain off your right thumb during a long rehearsal. On this page you will find bassoon and oboe straps, neck straps for cor anglais and neoprene straps suitable for several wind instruments. You can choose from BG France, Neotech and Zappatini.

Seat strap, shoulder strap or harness for your bassoon?

• Seat strap – place it on the seat of your chair and sit on it; the bassoon rests on it at the boot joint. BG France B06 has an adjustable leather cup that holds the boot joint securely.
• Shoulder strap – it transfers the bassoon's weight from your neck to one shoulder and gives you more freedom of movement. BG France B02 has a leather shoulder pad with foam padding, a buckle with an anti-slip lock and two metal hooks. The B01 model combines a shoulder strap with a seat strap.
• Harness over both shoulders – it distributes the weight evenly across your upper body, making it useful when you play for long periods or while standing. BG France B10 is a U-shaped men's harness, while B11 is a women's harness with four buckles at the front and one at the back.

If you want a simple strap with an adjustable length, take a look at Zappatini Fagott Strap Synthesis-R.

Which neck strap should you choose for your oboe?

An oboe neck strap is lightweight and attaches to the instrument with a hook. BG France O33 E is an elastic nylon neck strap with a metal hook. O33YE has sweat-absorbing foam padding around the neck and an ABS spacer with an elastic cord, so it does not put pressure on your neck. Neotech C.E.O. is designed for clarinet, cor anglais and oboe, making it useful if you play several instruments.

Can you use a saxophone strap for bassoon or oboe too?

Some straps are suitable. The Neotech Soft Sax and Classic Sax neoprene neck straps are designed for saxophone, clarinet, oboe, cor anglais and bassoon. Swiv.Hook versions have a closed swivel hook that also fits a smaller attachment ring on the instrument. Choose the length by size: Junior adjusts from 40.6 to 48.3 cm, and Classic Sax XL from 52.1 to 68.6 cm. Soft Sax also has an elastic back section that absorbs shocks as you move.

You can also use bassoon and oboe stands and reeds for bassoon and oboe with these instruments. Find straps for other wind instruments in the straps for wind instruments category.