Woodwinds · Bassoon family
Contrabassoon
Twice the length of the bassoon, folded four times, sounding an octave lower: the deepest regular instrument of the orchestra.
- Section
- Woodwinds
- Family
- Bassoon family
- Classification
- Aerophone · double reed
- Transposition
- Written an octave higher
- Clefs
- Bass
- Sounding range
- B♭0 – B♭3
Parts of the contrabassoon
The tube is folded four times. Photo: unknown author (see source page), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Labels added by Musicians Tools.
Range
Written B♭1 to B♭4, sounding an octave lower. Some instruments have an extension down to A0. Playback uses a neutral tone, not the instrument's own sound.
Writing for the contrabassoon
- Written in bass clef an octave above sounding pitch.
- Notes speak slowly; keep fast passages simple.
- The lowest notes are felt more than heard; double them with basses or tuba for definition.
- Usually played by a bassoonist; allow time to switch.
History
Contrabassoons existed in the 17th century; Handel and Haydn used them, and Beethoven wrote for the instrument in his Fifth and Ninth Symphonies. The Heckel firm developed the modern contrabassoon in the late 19th century.
Listen
Key works featuring the contrabassoon. Each link opens a YouTube search, so you can pick the recording you like.
- Ravel – Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (opening)
- Ravel – Mother Goose, Beauty and the Beast
- Dukas – The Sorcerer's Apprentice
- Brahms – Symphony No. 1