I am the largest musical instrument of the woodwind family.
I have got the lowest pitch of all.
I use a double reed.
My reeds are made up of two pieces of cane fastened together.
People play me like my cousin, the oboe.
Can you name me?
Any guesses?
Well! You have already guessed my name looking at the topic. Right? I am Bassoon!
Bassoon: The parts
Let us take a look into how many pieces I disassemble and what are they. The bassoon can be divided into six parts, including the reed. These include the following:
● The bell: It extends in the upward direction.
● The bass joint (long joint): It joins the bell to the boot.
● The boot: The base of the musical instrument.
● The wing joint (tenor joint): It extends from the boot and goes to the bocal.
● Bocal or crook: It is a crooked metal tube that connects the reed to the wing joint.
Bassoon: The materials
A modern bassoon is basically crafted out of maple wood that is medium in terms of hardness. Some of the best options include - sugar maple and sycamore maple. These are mainly used in high-end models.
The less-expensive variants of bassoon are made up of ebonite and polypropylene.
Earlier, the bassoon was also found in metallic versions. However, no prominent manufacturer has made it since the year 1889.
Bassoon: A distinct musical instrument
What makes the bassoon - a distinct gear?
● It is a long-sized musical instrument. It measures around 53-inches.
● Owing to the folded structure of the long tube of this musical gear, it can expand up to 102 inches if you extend it fully.
● Due to the above two features, the bassoon owns the moniker of the largest instrument of the woodwind family.
● The bassoon comprises nine keys and five keys for the left and the right thumb, respectively.
● Bassoons come with a conical bore. What does it mean? It means that the long tube of a bassoon is formed in the shape of a cone.
● It helps produce a deep and unique sound that makes the bassoon a one-of-its-kind musical instrument of the woodwind instrument.
● There is an opening at the top of this musical instrument. It is known as the bell.
● The only note that the bell produces is the B-flat. It is the lowest note produced by a bassoon.
Bassoon: The types
● Bassoons are of two different types - the French bassoons and the German bassoons. The French bassoons are called Buffets, and the German ones are known as the Heckels.
● As per the famous book The Art of Bassoon Playing by William Spencer, a majority of bassoon players prefer playing German bassoons, the Heckels over Buffets, the French ones. The reason? The former produces better sound than the latter. Plus, heckles are also less expensive.
Bassoon: The clown of the orchestra
● Did you know - the bassoon is called the clown of the orchestra? Yes, you heard it right. It is called so because it produces a detached and sharp sound. As it has a low register, some people find it humorous.
● Do you know something interesting about the bassoon? This musical instrument is often heard in animated movies.
● The tone of the bassoon is so hilarious that the most prolific and noteworthy composer, Mozart, wrote passages dedicated to it.
Bassoon: Not everyone's cup of tea
● If you wish to play the standard bassoon, you need to be a bit tall. Why so? The legs of a bassoonist should be long enough. Their feet should reach the floor when sitting down.
● Big hands are also an added advantage. It will help them reach the thumb keys and tone holes properly.
● In case your hands are not big enough, you can choose small bassoons over the big ones.
The conclusion
So, these are some of the interesting things you should know about the bassoon. However, one of the most important aspects of having a musical instrument is covering it with a suitable Bassoon Insurance plan.
A dedicated musical instrument insurance policy ensures that your finances are safe and secure against all perils that you may come across as a musician. Buy a standalone Bassoon Insurance from a good and reputed insurance provider and take a big sigh of relief.
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