Ms. Jensen and Brian Easthope, a sixth grader, set out to address keeping the fingers close to the instrument and relaxed while playing through playing, “Smooth Fingers”, #5 from Unit 10. Along the way, they discover some posture and seat strap adjustments that help Brian’s tone quality. Ms. Jensen brings to Brian’s attention the abrupt quality of note endings when stopped with the tongue. She addresses tapering the ends of notes by slowing the air stream and slightly firming the lips, right at the end of the note. This may seem like an advanced concept for a student who has played only four months, but raising his awareness of the aesthetic goals of music making and how to achieve them early in his development will aid in his forming an overriding musical approach to playing the bassoon – not letting easy habits that do not sound as good to determine his musical taste.