MI: LIBRARY: INSTRUMENTS: WOODWINDS: BASSOON

History
The bassoon was developed from the one-piece instrument known as the curtal, during the 1600’s. It was unique due to the two parallel tubes which are joint by a u-piece at the bottom. The early bassons had very few keys, two as a matter of fact, but in the 1800’s this would change.

During the 19th century, German bassoon makers began to experiment as they attempted to explore key mechanisms. These “explorations” created many key systems, but the most sucessful was created by Heckel. The Heckel system is still popular with musicians around the world.

Description
The bassoon is known as a bass woodwind. Typically, it is made of wood with a metal bocal. It has a very rich, deep sound that takes the bass parts in orchestras.

Although the bassoon plays the bass part in orchestras, it is very important. The bassoon completes the base of woodwind chords and keeps the other woodwinds in tune. When given a solo, the bassoon can be very entertaining. In short, staccatto solos, the bassoon takes on a comical role. However, in long, smooth phrases, the bassoon can be a very emotional, and warm instrument.

The bassoon is a very difficult instrument to play. It is very heavy and once the musician overcomes that, they must control the very awkward key system. Despite the beauty of the bassoon and the talent required to play it, it is subject to a wide range of reviews.

The poet, Sacheverell Sitwell compared the gorgeous bassoon to the voice of   “a sea-god speaking.” On the other hand, the Italian name for the bassoon, “fagotto”, means “bunch of firewood!” Regardless, the bassoon has been and will continue to be an important instrument in the orchestra.

Bassoon Variations
Curtal: The curtal, an evolution of the bass shawm, is the ancestor of the bassoon. It is a one-piece instrument and usually made of wood.

Double bassoon: Aside from actually hearing it, the only way you can have any idea how low the double bassoon is to pound the lowest note on a piano. It is so low that only an expert can use it to produce the organ-like sound it was made to play. Otherwise the wooden instrument will sound like a fuzzy, unclear, rattle.

Comments

i am disgusted by the way u have portrayed the bassoon. u people are a disgrace to my people and heratage.

Bertha McFuzz

Comments

i am disgusted by the way u have portrayed the bassoon. u people are a disgrace to my people and heratage.

Bertha McFuzz

Comments

thank you for your very helpful website. I am a 13 year old girl who is in love with the bassoon. I wish to thank you for helping me with my research on this instrument.

Thanks

Alex Green

Comments

thank you for your very helpful website. I am a 13 year old girl who is in love with the bassoon. I wish to thank you for helping me with my research on this instrument.

Thanks

Alex Green

Comments

I am a 13 year old girl who plays the Bassoon. I am the only person at the school who plays it. My band are playing Childrens March at the moment, it is sooo fun. I get a solo!

Comments

I am a 13 year old girl who plays the Bassoon. I am the only person at the school who plays it. My band are playing Childrens March at the moment, it is sooo fun. I get a solo!

Comments

Your history on the bassoon has helped me very much....I'm 15 and I'm in love with my bassoon and my flute. Would it be able for you to get more information on the double bassoon, or the contrabassoon?

Comments

Hi, I'm a 15 year old Aussie music student and your site helped me out alot with the Bassoon part as I have an assignment due in tommorow (4/9/01) SeeYa

Comments

Hi, I'm a 15 year old Aussie music student and your site helped me out alot with the Bassoon part as I have an assignment due in tommorow (4/9/01) SeeYa

Comments

I have been playing bassoon for 6 yrs. now and I feel that I can live with this instrument for a long time. Thanks for the research help.

Comments

cool website this has helped me out alot with my asignment thanks

Comments

cool website this has helped me out alot with my asignment thanks

Comments

Im 23 years old Im deaf person who love to play the bassoon for 8 month now that all I can say

Comments

Im 23 years old Im deaf person who love to play the bassoon for 8 month now that all I can say