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Italian Contrafagotto

This ponderous instrument, also called contra bassoon, is pitched an octave below the bassoon, to which it bears the same relation as does the double bass to the cello. It is usually about sixteen feet long, but is doubled on itself four times to make it less unwieldy. Although it has a possible range of three and a half octaves, its principal use is to extend the downward range of the bassoon, thus supplying a solid, deep-pitched foundation for the wood-wind section.

The tones comprising the two lowest octaves are the most valuable. They are employed both in forte and piano passages, though the subduing of the deepest tones requires great skill. The soft attack is all but impossible. The tonal quality differs little from that of the ordinary bassoon.

Although not a modern instrument, its use was long restricted, owing to imperfections in intonation. Recent improvements have made its use more general, and the third bassoonist of symphony and grand opera orchestras is always provided with a double bassoon to be used when required by the score. It is a transposing instrument in the same sense as is the double bass, parts being written an octave above their actual sound.

The range of the double bassoon is: (sounds an octave lower)

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