- Double-reed woodwind instrument
- Low-pitched member of the woodwind family
- Has a distinctive, reedy timbre
- Played by blowing air through a double reed
- Has a range of about three and a half octaves
- Used in orchestras, wind bands, and jazz bands
Bass clarinet:
- Single-reed woodwind instrument
- Low-pitched member of the clarinet family
- Has a warm, mellow timbre
- Played by blowing air through a single reed
- Has a range of about three octaves
- Used in orchestras, wind bands, and jazz bands
Comparison:
- The bassoon and bass clarinet are both low-pitched woodwind instruments.
- The bassoon is a double-reed instrument, while the bass clarinet is a single-reed instrument.
- The bassoon has a more reedy timbre, while the bass clarinet has a warmer, mellower timbre.
- The bassoon has a wider range than the bass clarinet.
- The bassoon is more commonly used in orchestras, while the bass clarinet is more commonly used in wind bands and jazz bands.