Ortwein High A Bridge, 2nd Edition

The Ortwein High A Bridge Key closes the Whisper key when the thumb A key is depressed making the High A and Bb speak better with a fuller tone. It also can be used as a Low C# key which then by trilling the low Eb key you get a good low C#/D# trill. The pancake key top on this edition makes it easier to use for the C#/D# trill.

The Moosmann edition is extra long to reach the greater distance that Moosmann bassoons have to reach the whisper key. This will also work on other less common bassoons that have a larger distance than the 2nd edition bridge can reach.

Designed by Mark Ortwein, the bassoon professor at Indianapolis University, and a bassoon and saxophone freelance musician in that area, the Ortwein High A Bridge also helps with the pitch of "high A" and "high Bb." Without a bridge, those notes are essentially "double vented" at the whisper key and the high A tone hole, leading to a tendency toward sharpness on high A and high Bb. By adding the bridge, touching the high A key closes the whisper key, allowing the pitch to be lower with less effort.

Now a standard feature on many new professional bassoons, the bridge is often omitted from intermediate and student model bassoons. A good repair technician for bassoons can install one, but the main advantage of Mr. Ortwein's product is that no repair tech is needed. Thus it is already a cheaper option. A side benefit is that the bridge can be installed on the low C# key's rod, position just above the left thumb low C key, allowing low C# to be, with just a slight alteration of the thumb position, fingered like low C, and making a very effective low C# to D# (low Db to Eb) trill possible. The second edition is much better for the C# trill. 

The Ortwein High A Bridge is easily installed. With a flat head screwdriver, remove the screw to position the bridge on either the whisper key or low C# rod, insert and tighten the screw making sure the bridge portion either rests on the high A key or becomes the touchpiece for low C# by the left hand thumb. It's that simple!

The Ortwein High A Bridge is made of aluminum.