Bassoon

As Printed on a Score

Bassoon (plural Bassoons) labels the bassoon staff in English-language scores, abbreviated Bsn. or Bn., with player numbers (Bassoon 1, 2) or a shared staff marked a 2 and 1. It is written at sounding pitch in bass clef, with tenor clef for higher passages and occasionally treble. A change to contrabassoon is noted in the part.

Abbreviations: Bsn., Bn., Bsn

Also spelled: Bassoons

How Composers Use It

The tenor and bass of the woodwind section, from B-flat1 to about E5: reedy and full at the bottom, warm and lyrical in the middle, intense and plaintive at the top. It doubles cellos and horns well, supports woodwind chords, and has a gift for staccato humor. Its lowest notes are hard to play quietly and are easily covered by brass, so keep the texture light when it carries a low solo.

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