Contrabassoon

The contrabassoon, or double bassoon, is an ungainly double-long bassoon playing an octave lower, which is very long and low indeed.

Contrabassoon
Video

Instrument: Contrabassoon

In this film, Luke Whitehead introduces his instrument - the contrabassoon.

The Principal Contrabassoon Chair is endowed by David and Penny Stern.

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About

To accommodate all that length, the bore doubles back twice on itself like a paper clip in contrast to the bassoon’s hairpin shape. The reeds, too, are thicker and heavier, and the fingering is different. The contrabassoon’s lowest notes are the lowest of the orchestra, and the instrument’s deep profound buzz was thought suitable only for reinforcement of bass lines until modern composers were able to find delight in the contrabassoon’s strangeness. This is another of the instruments Beethoven introduced into symphonic repertory with his Fifth Symphony.

Contrabassoon range

Frequency Range

29-220 Hz

Tube Length

550 cm

Did you know?

Contrabassoon-type instruments have been known since the 17th century, however they were little used in orchestras until the late 19th century when Wilhelm Heckel developed the type in use today.

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