Contrabassoon

The contrabassoon or double bassoon is a larger version of the bassoon sounding an octave lower. Its technique is similar to its smaller cousin, with a few notable differences:

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• The reed is considerably larger, at 70-75 mm in total length as compared to 53-58 mm for most bassoon reeds.
• Fingering is slightly different, particularly at the register change and in the extreme high range.
• The instrument is twice as long, curves around on itself several times, and, due to its weight and shape, is supported by an endpin rather than a seat strap. Additional support is sometimes given by a strap around the player's neck. A wider hand position is also required, as the primary finger keys are widely spaced.
• There is considerably more air volume required in playing, and the instrument does not respond as quickly.
• The contrabassoon has a water key to expel condensation, and a tuning slide for gross pitch adjustments.
• The instrument comes in one piece (plus bocal); it does not disassemble. Sometimes, however, the bell can be detached and in the case of instruments with a low A extension the instrument often comes in two parts (plus bell and bocal).

With a range beginning at B-flat0 (extending down a half-step to the lowest note on the piano on instruments with the low A extension), and extending up just over three octaves, the contrabassoon is the deepest available sound in most orchestras. Accordingly, the instrument is notated an octave above sounding pitch in bass clef, with tenor or even (rarely) treble clef called for in high passages. The instrument has a high range extending to middle C, but the top fifth is rarely used. Tonally, it sounds much like the bassoon except for a distinctive organ pedal quality in the lowest octave of its range which provides a solid underpinning to the orchestra. Although the instrument can have a distinct 'buzz', which becomes almost a clatter in the extreme low range, this is nothing more than a variance of tone quality which can be remediated by appropriate reed design changes. While prominent in solo and small ensemble situations, the sound can be completely obscured in the volume of the full orchestra.

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Contrabassoon: History and current use ►