The forerunner of the modern bassoon was the dulcian. It was a one-piece double-reed instrument that provided the bass line in 16 th century music. Carl Almenrader and A. J. Heckel founded a factory in 1831 which began making the modern German system bassoon. Bassoons, like oboes use a double reed to produce a sound. These are often hand made. Bassoon is normally owned by the school band program and rented to a band student through the band boosters.
There are two members of the bassoon family: the Bassoon (the one you will play) and the Contrabassoon.
Students who play Bassoon are asked to sign up with a private Bassoon teacher. Without private lessons, Bassoon is a difficult instrument to play because of it’s many keys, unusual fingerings, and specific technique.
SDF: 10
Good bassoonists are highly sought after by bands, orchestras and universities. They are among the highest group likely to earn scholarships. This is because there are few good bassoonists. A concert band of 75 typically uses 3 to 4 bassoonists.