rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybassoonLow-pitched woodwind instrument
noun

bassoon

buh-SOON/bəˈsuːn/

A large double-reed woodwind instrument with a low range.

The bassoon has a long, folded wooden body and a curved metal tube leading to its reed.

An isolated, complete bassoon shown diagonally, with its characteristic long reddish-brown wooden body, shorter parallel joint, silver keywork, curved metal bocal, and exposed double reed clearly visible.
Etymology
bassItalianbass, low
+oonItalianaugmentative

“Bass” combined with an ending indicating large size gives the idea of a “large bass.” The name identifies this large woodwind by its low musical register.

In context

Town Meeting TV54:38
this super big bassoon that sounds super low in Beethoven's time that was the lowest of the wind instruments
What’s So Great about Beethoven’s Fifth? | Education and Enrichment for Everyone

More examples

  • She fitted the double reed to her bassoon.
  • A bassoon solo emerged from the orchestral texture.
  • The musician carried the bassoon in a long case.

Forms

bassoon · bassoons

Similar words

oboe
An oboe also uses a double reed but usually plays in a higher range than a bassoon.
clarinet
A clarinet uses a single reed; a bassoon uses a double reed and a long folded tube.