double bassoon

American  

noun

1. a bassoon an octave lower in pitch than the ordinary bassoon: the largest and deepest-toned instrument of the oboe class; contrabassoon.

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double bassoon British  

noun

1. music the lowest and largest instrument in the oboe class; contrabassoon

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Etymology

Origin of double bassoon

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

“You remember,” said Mr. Dubbe, “that Herr Weidig, in his lecture on the wood winds, gave a double bassoon illustration from Brahms’ ‘Chorale of St. Anthony,’ which you are to hear to-day.

From The So-called Human Race by Taylor, Bert Leston

Although the double bassoon is not a transposing instrument the music for it is written an octave higher than the real sounds in order to avoid the ledger lines.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 2 "Constantine Pavlovich" to "Convention" by Various

I go further than Beethoven in preferring the double bassoon.

From The So-called Human Race by Taylor, Bert Leston

He's the strongest and solidest man in the place, Nothing—short of mad cattle—can quicken his pace; His moustache would do credit to any dragoon, And his voice is as deep as a double bassoon.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, September 12, 1917 by Various

At length Harris challenged his redoubtable rival to make certain additional reed stops, vox humana, cremona, double bassoon and other stops, within a given time.

From Old and New London Volume I by Thornbury, Walter