The Jordan Key

THE JORDAN KEY

For Bassoon

No Flicking

No Venting

Better Tenor Register

Simplified High Register

How It Works

The patented design of the Jordan Key is transforming how bassoonists approach their instruments. By addressing pitch issues, tonal irregularities, and note cracking from A2 to D3, this straightforward system is revolutionizing bassoon playing. With the Jordan Key, musicians can express their artistry without as many technical obstacles, making it an essential tool for modern bassoon performance.

The beauty of the Jordan Key lies in its simplicity. It can be installed on any make or model of bassoon and is seamlessly integrated with the existing whisper key mechanism, requiring no extra effort from the player. The Jordan key does the venting for you, but if you do choose to flick or vent, the Jordan Key always operates in sync with the whisper key, providing a consistent playing experience.

Bassoonists who use the Jordan Key have reported significant improvements in performance quality. For example, the Mozart Bassoon Concerto starts on a Bb and the note usually cracks without flicking. With the Jordan Key, the note does not crack and tends to be more stable. Also, the tenor register becomes more focused and resonant, allowing for a seamless transition between the lower and higher octaves of A through D.

Finally, The Jordan Key enhances the bassoon's ergonomics by removing the flicking motion, reducing strain on the left thumb. This adjustment makes the bassoon more user-friendly for players of various ages, from students with smaller hands to adults dealing with arthritis or other mobility challenges. Everyone who has tried it always smiles. That is the goal. Spreading happiness one bassoon at a time!

The Journey

Nearly thirty years ago, Arthur Weisberg, James (Jimmy) Keyes, and Robert Jordan embarked on a mission to improve the bassoon. They collaborated to create the Weisberg System, a double octave key system that improved the responsiveness of the six ascending chromatic notes A2-D3. While effective, the system was complex as it required integration with the existing keywork of the bassoon.

After Arthur Weisberg passed away in 2009, Robert and Jimmy kept the Weisberg System torch burning. But, as time went by, it became clear that the system was a bit too heavy, complicated and costly for most bassoonists. It seemed like game over, right? Wrong!

In 2020, the world hit pause and Robert finally had time to reflect. Drawing on his lessons with Hugh Cooper and their conversations on bassoon acoustics and venting, he realized it was possible to simplify the Weisberg System. After months of experimenting with vent hole sizes and placements, the Jordan Key was born, much to the relief of his wife and the dismay of Wolfgang the Corgi, the only one in the house who seemed to enjoy Robert’s musical madness.

Now, instead of a complex, expensive installation process involving multiple holes and keys added to the bassoon, the Jordan Key can be installed quickly and at much less cost, with just one vent hole and key added to the existing whisper key of any bassoon.

The Patent

As Robert began fitting the Jordan Key on bassoons, he recognized the importance of securing a patent to protect the system’s integrity. Previously, duplicating the Weisberg System was not a concern because of it’s complexity. In contrast, the Jordan key looks simple on the surface, but attempting to install it by guesswork will not yield successful results. The patent was awarded in August of 2023 and provides protection for both the inventor and the consumer. Unless announced here, anyone other than Robert Jordan who has installed or altered the Jordan Key in any way cannot claim to have the Jordan Key on their bassoon.

The ultimate objective of this project is for the key to become a standard feature on all bassoons and for manufacturers to incorporate it into their designs. Stay tuned for upcoming collaborations that will be revealed here once they are finalized.

FAQs

What types of bassoon

is the Jordan Key installed on?

Adler

Bell

Fox

Jordan Weisberg

Heckel

Leitzinger

Moosmann

Polisi

Puchner

Walter

The Jordan Key can be installed on any model of bassoon but is not currently installed during the manufacturing process.

How Long Does it Take?

The Jordan Key takes a day or two to install, depending on prior commitments. It’s perfectly fine to ship, but its a good idea to bring your instrument in person so Robert can make any requested adjustments quickly and efficiently.

Do I need to learn new Fingerings?

No. The only thing you need to do is not flick.

The Jordan Key does not get in the way of any existing key work and there is no extra mechanism to manually engage or disengage.

Where Can I Try the Jordan Key?

You are always welcome to visit the workshop and Nielsen Bocal Supply in O Fallon IL. We also attend double reed days at colleges around the country and will be at the 2024 IDRS Conference in Flagstaff, Arizona.

About the Inventor

Dr. Robert D. Jordan is from Memphis, Tennessee and spent over twenty years as a bassoonist in the United States Air Force Bands. During this time, he performed recitals, master classes, and as a soloist across the United States and Europe. In addition to his military service, Dr. Jordan has performed with orchestras including The St. Louis Symphony, Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Milwaukee, Columbus, and Dayton Philharmonic, among others.

An avid chamber musician, Dr. Jordan was a five-time semifinalist in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and a two-time winner in the Milwaukee Civic Music Association Competition. He currently performs as a member of the Washington Street Trio, which includes clarinetist Mary Nan Jordan, and SIU Edwardsville Professor Emeritus, Stephen Brown.

A sought after teacher and coach, his teaching appointments included the University of Dayton, Denison University, Heidelberg College, Tiffin University, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, SIU Carbondale, Missouri Baptist University and presently at Southwest Illinois College, McKendree University, and SIU Edwardsville.

Dr. Jordan holds degrees from LSU, the University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and a Certificate from UW-Milwaukee Institute of Chamber Music. He was lucky to study with many of the leading bassoon pedagogues of the twentieth and twenty first century - L. Hugh Cooper, James Keyes, William Ludwig, John Patterson, Robert Thompson, Christopher Weait, and Robert Williams.

Dr. Jordan is the owner of Weisberg Systems, LLC where he coordinates the further development of innovations for bassoon inspired by Arthur Weisberg. He and his wife, Mary Nan Jordan also own and operate Nielsen Bocal Supply. They live in O Fallon, IL with Wolfgang the corgi.

Special Thanks

This journey would not have been possible without the incredible support of numerous friends and mentors. Some of these individuals are sadly no longer with us and I miss them every day.

The list is too long for one page, but special acknowledgements filled with love and appreciation go to L. Hugh Cooper, Arthur Weisberg, Diane Kennedy Weisberg, Jimmy Keyes, Alvin Swiney, John P. Patterson, Leonard Hindell, Bob Barris,

Joan Barris, Alan Fox, Chip Owen, Richard Ramey, Randy Micheletti, Chad Taylor, Mary Nan Jordan and Cornelius Funck, Jr.

Thank you all for for your vision, mentorship and friendship.

Contact Information

Robert Jordan

robertjordan@weisbergsystems.com

For information about the Jordan Weisberg Bassoon

Visit Nielsen Bocal Supply at

https://nielsenbocalsupply.com

Demonstration videos are available at

https://www.youtube.com/@weisbergsystems/videos