Basson

As Printed on a Score

Basson (plural Bassons) labels the bassoon staff in French scores, abbreviated Bon or Bons, often with the letters raised. It is written at sounding pitch in bass and tenor clef. The contrabassoon is Contrebasson, and changes to it appear in the bassoon part.

Abbreviations: Bon, Bons

Also spelled: Bassons

How Composers Use It

The French (Buffet-system) bassoon has a lighter, more vocal and reedy tone than the German Heckel instrument, and French writing exploits it in lyrical and witty solos; Dukas gives the bassoons the marching broom’s theme in L’apprenti sorcier. Write at pitch, use tenor clef higher up, and give its low notes room and air.

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