The contrabassoon is the smallest wind instrument, producing some of the lowest notes in an orchestra. It’s twice the size and weight of a traditional bassoon. Because the first versions had pitch issues, the modern version is now widely played. This wind instrument is not widely used, but it is frequently heard in large symphonies or for specific musical pieces.
The contrabassoon is a member of the double reed family with a range limited to the low registers and played in bass clef. The lowest note that can be played is A1, which is the same as the lowest “A” on the piano keyboard. In the orchestra, their low register is typically used to support other bass instruments such as the tuba.
The contra is also known as the double bassoon because it resembles a traditional bassoon in appearance. Reed size, fingering, and overall length are some of the main differences between the two. The contrabassoon’s tube curves around on itself and is about twice as long as the bassoon’s. Due to the widely spaced keys, the fingering is slightly different, and the reed used is about 0.5 to 1 inch (about 10 to 20 mm) longer than on a traditional bassoon.
Due to the length of the tubing, playing the contra requires significantly more air than playing other wind instruments. The contra’s conical bore is just under 16 feet (about 5 meters), while a traditional version’s bore is seven feet (about 2 m). The majority are made in one piece and cannot be dismantled, making them extremely heavy. The instrument is propped up on a peg on the floor by musicians.
At the end of the 17th century, the first contrabassoon was created. Because of intonation issues, it was not widely used. These early instruments, now known as semi-contras, did not have the same range as modern versions. The range was only a fifth lower than the traditional version’s lowest note.
The first modern versions were developed and created in the late nineteenth century. Wilhelm Heckel created the first modern instrument, which corrected a number of pitch issues. It was possible to play a scale completely in pitch with the new modern version.