Basson

The basson, known as bassoon in English and basson in French, is a woodwind instrument in the double-reed family. It is the lowest pitched exposed member of the oboe family, renowned for its long, folded wooden body and a distinctive, reedy timbre. The instrument is typically made of maple and consists of a long tube in two or three sections, joined by sockets and a curved metal crook called the bocal. Sound is produced when the player blows into a two-piece cane reed mounted on the bocal; the reed’s vibration sets the air column inside the instrument into motion.

The bassoon has a wide range, commonly cited from about B♭1 to E5, and is used for bass lines, tenor melodies, and occasional high, agile passages. It offers a broad dynamic palette and a characteristic woody color that suits both lyrical and virtuosic writing. The instrument employs a large key system; two major fingering traditions exist—the German (Heckel) system and the French system—with the Heckel system being predominant in modern orchestras.

Historically, the bassoon evolved during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, with significant refinements by French and German makers. The modern instrument often features a curved upper joint and a long lower joint, and a contrabassoon can extend the range an octave lower. In orchestras, the bassoon commonly provides foundational bass lines but also appears in chamber music, film scores, and contemporary works for its versatile color.