Editing Contrabassoon (section)

== Range, notation and tone ==

The contrabassoon is a very deep-sounding woodwind instrument that plays in the same [[sub-bass]] register as the [[tuba]], [[double bass]], or [[contrabass clarinet]]. It has a sounding range beginning at B{{music|b}}<sub>0</sub> (or A<sub>0</sub>, on some instruments) and extending up over three octaves to D<sub>4</sub>, though the highest [[perfect fourth|fourth]] is rarely scored for. [[Donald Erb]] and [[Kalevi Aho]] write even higher in their concertos for the instrument (to A{{music|b}}<sub>4</sub> and C<sub>5</sub>, respectively), but this is extraordinary and well beyond the expectations of the typical instrument or player. At the lower end, Richard Bobo of the Tulsa Symphony has designed a "subcontrabassoon", a full octave below the contrabassoon, and is intent on manufacturing the first working prototype.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subcontrabassoon |last=Bobo |first=Richard |work=subcontrabassoon.com |date= |url= https://www.subcontrabassoon.com/ |access-date=18 February 2024 }}</ref> Steven Braunstein of the [[San Francisco Symphony]] has built custom extensions to reliably reach a low G<sub>0</sub> in performance.{{cn|date=January 2024}} 

Contrabassoon parts are notated an octave above sounding pitch, and most often use [[bass clef]]. Like bassoon, extended high-register passages may use [[tenor clef]], though this is rarely necessary due to the rarity of such passages. The use of [[treble clef]] is even less common, and is only necessary for the most ambitious solo repertoire.

Tonally, it sounds similar to the bassoon, but at all parts of its compass is distinctly different in tone from it. There is a "thinning" of the sound in extreme high register, as in all double reeds, but unlike oboe and bassoon which become more penetrative and "intense" in this register, the contrabassoon's sound becomes less audibly substantial and is easily drowned out. Conversely, contrabassoon also has a booming quality, similar to organ pedals, in its lowest register; enabling it to produce powerful contrabass tones when desired (aided by the flared bell, which the bassoon does not have). The contrabassoon can also produce a "buzz" or "rattle", particularly when loud and in its low register, which gives the sound an edged quality. This effect can be mitigated greatly by changes to the reed design, but it can be a desirable quality for some players, as it adds to the sinister or monstrous quality which some contrabassoon writing seeks to affect, and causes the contrabassoon sound to be more prominent in musical textures.