Bassoon

The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor clefs, and occasionally the treble. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band, and chamber music literature. The bassoon is a non-transposing instrument known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, variety of character and agility. Listeners often compare its warm, dark, reedy timbre to that of a male baritone voice. Someone who plays the bassoon is called a bassoonist.

Etymology

The word bassoon comes from French basson and from Italian bassone (basso with the augmentative suffix -one).

Range

The range of the bassoon begins at B♭₁ (the first one below the bass staff) and extends upward over three octaves, roughly to the G above the treble staff (G₅). Higher notes are possible but difficult to produce, and rarely called for: orchestral and concert band parts rarely go higher than C₅ or D₅. Even Stravinsky's famously difficult opening solo in The Rite of Spring only ascends to D₅.

Bassoon (disambiguation)

Bassoon refers to a musical instrument. See Bassoon.

Bassoon can also refer to: