35 Bassoon Facts For The Budding Musician In You

Bassoons are double reed instruments that are a common sight in orchestras.

Often confused with the oboe because of their similar appearances, a bassoon is quite different in terms of the music that it can create. Typically weighing around 7.5 lb (3.4 kg), a bassoon is both heavy and difficult to handle.

In an orchestra, you are typically able to spot around three to four bassoonists, depending on the nature of the musical piece that is being performed.

This 17-key instrument functions in a similar way to other woodwind instruments. When air is passed through this pipe-like instrument and regulated through keys and holes, notes are generated.

Nowadays, bassoons are quite famous and are available in two main types: German bassoons, or the Heckle, and the French bassoon, or the Buffet. These bassoons also have different ways of being played, which make them quite special. Keep reading to learn more facts about bassoons and their range!

Facts About Bassoons

Bassoons may look like intimidating instruments, and they are capable of making or breaking an orchestra. This large instrument is an essential part of an orchestra, as well as jazz ensembles.

Thought to have originated from a Renaissance instrument, the bassoon has now become very popular. Classes for playing the bassoon are available throughout the world, and you can join any time you want. Read the bassoon facts below to learn more:

• The bassoon is a woodwind instrument that is typically used in orchestras and bands.
• It has a unique sound that can be difficult to describe.
• In the early 1800s, the bassoon was considered to be one of the most important woodwind instruments.
• The bassoon is made up of five main parts: the reed, mouthpiece, barrel, upper joint, and lower joint.
• The reed is attached to the mouthpiece and creates the sound of the instrument.
• The barrel is responsible for controlling the pitch of the notes.
• The upper and lower joints are connected by a metal rod, and they control the length of the instrument.
• There are two main types of bassoons.
• The two types are German bassoons and French bassoons.
• The German bassoon and French bassoon use different kinds of fingering systems.
• German bassoons are called Heckles, and French bassoons are called Buffets.
• The German bassoon uses the Heckle system of fingering, whereas the French bassoon uses the Buffet system of fingering.
• A bassoon's reed is made of a strip of cane.
• French and German reeds also have different characteristics.
• While German reeds are thicker in the spine, French reeds are beveled. This is what renders the quality of music that these instruments are capable of.
• The saxophone was invented in order to place bassoons and oboes in the modern orchestra.
• However, this was made impossible due to the fact that bassoons have a unique musical quality.
• Bassoons have a large range!
• If you ever hear of a double bassoon, reference is being made to a contrabassoon!
• The double bassoon stands at an immense height of 48 in (122 cm)!
• Other woodwind musical instruments use the Boehm system of fingering keys in order to create sounds, however, this does not apply to bassoons.
• Bassoons are usually heavy and hard to handle, which is why bassoonists have a neck strap to support themselves.
• In an orchestra, it is common to confuse bassoons with oboes!
• Bassoons in an orchestra can be identified through their reedy sound!
• One weird fact is that a bassoonist is required to have large hands.
• This is because the keys and holes of a bassoon are quite large!
• In an orchestra, the bassoon is an instrument that requires the action of all of your fingers to be played!

History Of Bassoons

The bassoon has a long history that dates back to the 1500s. It was first used in military bands, and it eventually became popular in orchestras.

• Unfortunately, there are no clear records that can tell us how early bassoons came into existence.
• A school of thought believes that bassoons are the descendants of the dulcian.
• There is, however, another school of thought that suggests that this modern instrument was made by a French flutist named Jacques Martin Hoterrerre.
• The first bassoon is said to have had separate joints,
• The 17 key bassoon was created in the 19th century!
• The bassoon was polished for being played in orchestras and other formal public gatherings in the 19th century as well!
• The dulcian, which is the probable predecessor of bassoons, is also a double-reed woodwind instrument.
• Not only do an oboe and a bassoon look similar, but these musical instruments are also played in a similar fashion.
• In both cases, the musician is required to press the reed between their lips and their blow wind into it!
• Both a bassoon and an oboe have a conical bore in the middle.
• The metal mouthpiece, which is somewhat curved in shape, is called a crook!

Uses Of Bassoons

The modern bassoon is an essential part of the orchestra. This musical instrument can produce a wide range of sounds, which makes it quite important.

• Interestingly, bassoons are also played in military bands.
• Bassoons also make appearances in Jazz ensembles and chamber music groups.
• This instrument is often an important part of contemporary music as well as music of the romantic era!
• Bassoons are usually used for playing bass clef, however, they can also be used for playing tenor clef.
• The sounds that this instrument creates are also varied and are dependent on the skill of the musician.
• Bassoonists are required to have a lot of breathing capacity as well as physical strength. This is because playing the bassoon is not child's play!

What is a bassoon's range?

Bassoons are one of the most versatile woodwind instruments. The modern bassoon is a double-reed instrument that can either be German or French.

• A bassoon's range is quite large and goes from a low B flat to a high F.
• Bassoons have a bass joint, a bell joint, and a wing joint.
• The bass joint is the instrument's fifth section that connects the boot joint to the bell joint.
• This instrument looks like an oboe but has a larger range.
• In order to play the bassoon, musicians usually have some support. This is because bassoons are quite heavy and tough to handle.
• The music generated through this wonderous instrument can be used on a number of platforms, which adds to the versatility of bassoons.
• Bassoons are thought to have come from the concept of dulcians, which are Renaissance instruments.
• Bassoonists are often known to make their own reeds.
• The keys of a bassoon are placed in such a way that musicians are required to use all their fingers in order to play this instrument.
• The sound that a bassoon makes is also dependent on the method which is taken up by the bassoonist.
• Some methods are easy and produce a somewhat linear sound. Others are harder to achieve but create depth!