If you’re reading this, you likely want a bassoon for your musically inclined child or yourself. Bassoons do seem intricate because they are, but you won’t have to handle endless variations that complicate your choice.
There are two kinds of bassoons: the standard bassoon and the contrabassoon. The main difference is their frequency; the contrabassoon produces lower tones compared to the bassoon’s slightly higher ones.
Key takeaways
- Types of Bassoons: Only two main types exist—bassoon (standard) and contrabassoon (double size with lower register).
- Double-Reed Instruments: Both types use two reeds attached to the mouthpiece, producing notes through vibrations.
- Historical Significance: The standard bassoon dates back to the 1500s, while the contrabassoon emerged in the 18th century.
- Material and Construction: Most bassoons are made from Maple, featuring multiple joints and a double-reed mouthpiece.
- Variations: Well-known variations include the Heckel, Buffet, and Contraforte, each offering unique playability and sound qualities.
Some musicians might get more complicated, counting varieties like the Buffet, Heckel, and Contraforte. However, these are just variations of the two main categories of bassoon.
Since you’re here, you’re probably still learning about bassoons, how they work, and the different types available. Not to worry, I’ll cover it all.
The Two Types of Bassoon
The bassoon is a common and popular woodwind instrument known for its deep and resonating bass sounds. Unlike a tuba, it excels within a full orchestra setting, adding rich low tones.
In short, the bassoon produces clear, beautiful notes perfect for solos. It stands out as a unique and captivating instrument, not just a background piece.
Both the standard bassoon and the contrabassoon are “double-reed” instruments, meaning they have two reeds attached to the mouthpiece.
Blowing across the two reeds makes them vibrate, producing a note that travels through the bassoon. Different keys cover and uncover holes along the tube, creating various notes.
The Bassoon
Originally developed in the 1500s, the Bassoon is a woodwind instrument that fills the gap of low register notes. Over the years, it’s been perfected to achieve a high degree of popularity.
Fortunately, it became popular in orchestras due to its wide range and surprising versatility. It’s fully capable of being played as a solo within a larger musical piece.
The bassoon performs well in both tenor and bass roles. It has a good range and is loud enough to be heard solo. Its primary function is to provide lower-frequency notes in an orchestra, acting as a perfect accompaniment.
The bassoon didn’t always effectively play the tenor and bass roles. Initially crafted from harder wood, modifications over the years led to Maple emerging as the preferred material.
Most bassoons are made of Maple, though some cheaper ones use plastic. Both standard and contrabassoons have double-reed mouthpieces.
The bassoon is complex in its construction and includes:
- The Wing Joint, also known as a Tenor
- The Butt Joint, also known as the Double Joint
- A Bass Joint, which is also called a Long Joint
- A Bell Joint
- The Crook, which is also known as a Bocal
Almost every label on the Bassoon diagram has more than one defining word. This makes the instrument sound more complicated than necessary. It’s best to stick with one term.
The standard Bassoon is easy to spot among various bassoons, like the double or Contrabassoons, because it isn’t folded to make handling its length simpler.
If you’re new to bassoons or playing instruments, some bassoons stand out as excellent choices. These are often the highest-rated options for beginners.
Contrabassoon
The first thing you’ll notice about the contrabassoon is its enormous size and somewhat awkward appearance. Its design has changed over the years, folding the tube multiple times to make it manageable for players.
The contrabassoon is nearly double the size of a standard bassoon, a large instrument itself. Its double-reed and other components are also oversized. It holds the title of the largest woodwind instrument.
The contrabassoon, or double-bassoon, plays an octave lower than the standard bassoon. It creates a pleasant register that can stand alone, without needing an orchestra or higher octave instruments like a flute.
The contrabassoon, developed in the early 1700s, is several centuries younger than its bassoon relative. Originally, it was much simpler, with just three keys, and mainly played in churches.
Today, it looks like a simple saxophone but is made of Maple and is almost identical to a bassoon. Despite its huge size and curved tubes, you can play it just like a standard bassoon. All the notes match, just an octave lower.
Though the contrabassoon isn’t as commonly played solo as the standard bassoon, it’s gaining more solo opportunities as orchestras embrace its unique sound and capabilities.
Heckel Bassoon
The Heckel bassoon, a German development of the standard bassoon, is the most popular version globally. You’ll find it frequently in orchestras and even in grade schools.
It’s one of the simpler bassoons to play, making it popular with grade school musicians still learning. It has 23 keys, sometimes fewer for beginners.
Buffet Bassoon
The Buffet Basson, a French version of the Heckel Bassoon, was developed as a major upgrade to the baroque bassoon. Its keywork draws inspiration from the baroque design but has been slightly modified. It’s more complex to play than grade-school Heckel bassoons, yet has similarities to the baroque.
Interestingly, the Buffet bassoon is so different from the Heckel that even experienced Heckel players need to start fresh. It features 23 keys and retains the bassoon’s lower frequencies but offers slightly higher notes.
This makes the Buffet Bassoon much more likely to feature solo parts in an orchestra.
Contraforte
Just as there are various types of bassoons, there are different types of contrabassoons, with the contraforte being a primary example. The contraforte stands out as the latest addition to the bassoon family, making it the newest version available.
The contrabassoon is very similar, but the difference is that it has a more voluminous sound. Even though both have the same range, the contrabassoon sounds better in almost every way.
Imagine a new, improved player on the court who has all the veteran’s moves but performs them much better. The fingering positions have also been adjusted to make playing easier.
The contrabassoon is so large that adjusting it makes it easier to play.
There are many kinds of bassoons available, each with unique modifications and musical characteristics to suit individual preferences.