Bassoon

Bassoon

A Yamaha YFG-812 II bassoon
Woodwind instrument
Other names	basson fagott fagotto
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	422.112–71 (Double-reeded aerophone with keys)
Developed	Early 18th century
Playing range
(A1) B♭1–E5 (A♭5)
Related instruments
Tenoroon Contrabassoon (double bassoon) Dulcian Oboe

The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor clefs, and occasionally the treble. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band, and chamber music literature. The bassoon is a non-transposing instrument known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, variety of character and agility. Listeners often compare its warm, dark, reedy timbre to that of a male baritone voice. Someone who plays the bassoon is called a bassoonist.

The word bassoon comes from French basson and from Italian bassone (basso with the augmentative suffix -one). However, the Italian name for the same instrument is fagotto.

The range of the bassoon begins at B♭₁ (the first one below the bass staff) and extends upward over three octaves, roughly to the G above the treble staff (G₅). Higher notes are possible but difficult to produce, and rarely called for: orchestral and concert band parts rarely go higher than C₅ or D₅. Even Stravinsky's famously difficult opening solo in The Rite of Spring only ascends to D₅.

A₁ is possible with a special extension to the instrument—see "Extended techniques" below.

The bassoon disassembles into six main pieces, including the reed. The bell (6), extending upward; the bass joint (or long joint) (5), connecting the bell and the boot; the boot (or butt) (4), at the bottom of the instrument and folding over on itself; the wing joint (or tenor joint) (3), which extends from boot to bocal; and the bocal (or crook) (2), a crooked metal tube that attaches the wing joint to a reed (1) ( listen ). Bassoons are double reed instruments like the oboe and the English horn.