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The '''Bassoon''' is a double reed instrument.  It is played similar to the [[oboe]], but with a lower and reedier tone.  It plays in the bass clef, with most of it's notes below Middle C. The range of a bassoon is approximately 3 octaves, ranging from B flat (2 octaves below Middle C) to C (1 octave above Middle C). It is approximately 4' 6" in length.  

The '''Bassoon''' is a double reed instrument, like the [[oboe]], but with a lower and reedier tone.  Music for the bassoon is mostly written in the bass clef, with most of its notes below Middle C. The range of a bassoon is approximately 3 octaves, ranging from B flat (2 octaves below Middle C) to C (1 octave above Middle C). It is approximately 4' 6" in length.  

The contrabassoon, or bass bassoon is even larger and plays lower in [[pitch]], being roughly an octave below its brother and is a [[transposing instrument]]. (See [[Oboe]] family.)

The '''contrabassoon''', or double bassoon is even larger and lower in [[pitch]]. Its range is exactly one [[octave]] below the bassoon, but is written in the same range, thus making it a [[transposing instrument]]. (See [[Oboe]] family.)

The bassoon, also known as "''fagotto''" in Italian, is the second largest [[woodwind]] instrument. It is far rarer than a [[flute]] or [[clarinet]], as few people play it. In an [[orchestra]], it plays a similar part to the [[trombone]], the [[euphonium]] or the [[cello]].

The bassoon, also known as "''fagotto''" in Italian, is a highly versatile and agile instrument despite its large size. Its low notes can "speak" clearly and quickly, making it a good compliment to other bass instruments in [[orchestra|orchestral]] scoring, where it often shares the same part as the [[cello]].

Some famous pieces containing prominent bassoon parts include: "''Peter and the Wolf''", by [[Sergei Prokofiev]] and "''Bassoon Concerto in B Flat''", by [[Mozart]].

Some famous pieces containing prominent bassoon parts include: "''Peter and the Wolf''", by [[Sergei Prokofiev]] and "''Bassoon Concerto in B Flat''", by [[Mozart]]. [[Igor Stravinsky]] also opened his famous ballet ''Le Sacre du Printemps'' with an exposed bassoon solo in its highest register, and was mistaken for a [[saxophone] in its first performance.

Some notable bassoonists include William Waterhouse and Artur Weisberg.

Some notable bassoonists include William Waterhouse and Artur Weisberg.

[[Category:Wind Instruments]]

[[Category:Wind Instruments]]