The Bassoon Click here to listen to the bassoon (RealAudio file) The bassoon, the tenor member of the oboe family, is often referred to as the 'clown of the orchestra' due to its ability to produce comic effects and unusual 'noises'. It has a compass of 3 1/2 octaves, and its original role was to simply double the cellos, thus enhancing the bass line. Today, bassoons have earned a more independent role in orchestras, though the solo repertoire still remains small. Next instrument - the Horn Previous instrument - the Clarinet Back to the Orchestra construction of the bassoon Shape and materials: Usually made from maple, its total bore length is 2.4 metres. It is conical in shape and consists of two parallel tubes joined at one end by a U tube, thus the bore bends back on itself The Reed: The double reed, with tips a mere 0.1mm wide, is attached to a thin, curved metal tube, or crook, set into the tenor joint. This tube carries the air into the body of the instrument Components: The notes are controlled by a key system and the instrument can be dismantled into five parts; the grain of the wood needs to be the same in all pieces so that the sound isn't affected