For questions on the bassoon, a double-reed conical bore woodwind instrument.
Bassoons are typically made from (mountain) maple, and therefore more sensitive against moisture than oboes and clarinets. The air column (of 2,59 m) is folded in a bassoon, so the instrument has a total height of less than 1,50 m. The tonal range is similar to that of a cello, so typically bass clef and in higher range the tenor clef are used, sometimes even treble clef.
The contra-bassoon is notated the same way, but sounds an octave lower.
In classical era two bassoons were standard in an orchestra, in romantic era and later three bassoons and a contra-bassoon are not uncommon.
