Oboe, bassoon, English horn, and contrabassoon all belong to the double reed family of wind instruments. Each instrument produces sound by vibrating two reeds against each other. While these four instruments share many similarities, there is one key difference: the contrabassoon is the only one that is not a double reed instrument.
Oboes vs. Bassoons
The oboe and bassoon are both double-reed woodwind instruments, but they have some key differences in their structure and sound.
Oboe
- Smaller and higher-pitched than the bassoon
- Has a conical bore, which means it gets wider at the bottom
- Two keys: right-hand thumb key and left-hand little finger key
- Plays in the treble clef
Bassoon
- Larger and lower-pitched than the oboe
- Has a cylindrical bore, which means it has the same diameter throughout
- Three keys: right-hand thumb key, left-hand thumb key, and left-hand little finger key
- Plays in the bass clef
Table: Summary of Oboe and Bassoon Characteristics
| Characteristic | Oboe | Bassoon |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Large |
| Pitch | High | Low |
| Bore | Conical | Cylindrical |
| Keys | 2 | 3 |
| Clef | Treble | Bass |
Question 1:
Which of the following is not a double reed instrument?
Answer:
The clarinet is not a double reed instrument. It is a single reed instrument, meaning it uses one reed to create sound. Double reed instruments, on the other hand, use two reeds that vibrate against each other to produce sound.
Question 2:
What are the characteristics of a double reed instrument?
Answer:
Double reed instruments are characterized by their use of two reeds that vibrate against each other to create sound. These instruments typically have a rich, mellow tone and are often used in classical and folk music.
Question 3:
Which of the following statements about double reed instruments is NOT true?
Answer:
It is not true that double reed instruments are always played in a sitting position. While many double reed instruments, such as the oboe and bassoon, are played while sitting, others, such as the shawm, are often played while standing.
Hey there, thanks for hanging out and reading this far. I hope you found the information helpful. Just to recap, if you’re ever in the market for a double reed instrument, be sure to steer clear of the single reed instruments like the clarinet or saxophone. If you want to blow some serious air and make some awesome sounds, stick with the oboe, bassoon, or heckelphone. And hey, if you’re ever curious about anything else music-related, be sure to swing on by again. I’ll be here, ready to dish out more knowledge and help you become a music maestro.