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
The contrabassoon, or double bassoon, is an ungainly double-long bassoon playing an octave lower, which is very long and low indeed.
Instrument: Contrabassoon
In this film, Luke Whitehead introduces his instrument - the contrabassoon. Why not download our iPad app, 'The Orchestra', to learn even more? Visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/app for more information.
The Philharmonia's Principal Contrabassoon's Chair is endowed by Vincent Meyer.
For more information on Chair Endowments, please visit: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/support/individual/chair_endowment
Fact File
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.
Frequency Range
29-220 Hz
Tube Length
550 cm
