Chapter 1
How to fold nine feet of maple
Chapter 2
The voice of drama and comedy
Chapter 3
The intense craft of reed making
Chapter 4
The heavy metal giant
YOUR GOAL
Master of How to tame a nine foot woodwind
Ch 4 · The heavy metal giant
maestro The Contrabass Sarrusophone
Heavy metal giant, / roaring double reed, / rocking the low end!
maestro The contrabassoon's low notes form a dark foundation beneath brass and double basses.
maestro A sleek wooden bassoon stands under dramatic studio lighting in a sophisticated composition
BETA
maestro Assemble the bassoon piece by piece to discover how its unique sound is made.
Fun Fact
Space-saving design: If the contrabassoon weren't folded, the player would need a ladder to reach the reed at the top!
Glossary
contrabassoon (noun)
A large double reed woodwind instrument that is pitched an octave lower than the standard bassoon. Ludwig van Beethoven first featured this massive woodwind in his landmark Fifth Symphony, premiered in 1808.
A large double reed woodwind instrument that is pitched an octave lower than the standard bassoon. Ludwig van Beethoven first featured this massive woodwind in his landmark Fifth Symphony, premiered in 1808.
Quiz
Which brass instrument does the contrabassoon most frequently support in low-register passages?
Quiz
Which composer used the contrabassoon to represent the Beast in 'Mother Goose Suite'?
Quiz
In which famous symphony did Beethoven first introduce the contrabassoon to the orchestral world?