Is a contrabassoon bigger or smaller than an ordinary bassoon?

Answer 1

From hexapedia:

The contrabassoon or double bassoon is a larger version of the bassoon sounding an octave lower. Its technique is similar to its smaller cousin, with a few notable differences:

>The reed is considerably larger, at 70-75 mm in total length as compared to 53-58 mm for most bassoon reeds.
>Fingering is slightly different, particularly at the register change and in the extreme high range.
>The instrument is twice as long, curves around on itself several times, and is supported by an endpin due to its weight and shape rather than a seat strap. Additional support is sometimes given by a strap around the player's neck. A wider hand position is also required, as holes are less closely spaced.
>There is considerably more air volume required in playing, and the instrument does not respond as quickly.
>The contrabassoon has a water key to expel condensation, and a tuning slide for gross pitch adjustments.
>The instrument comes in one piece (plus bocal); it does not disassemble.

My friend composes music for a bassoon player named Margaret. You can hear the midi version of Trinket for Margaret and his arrangement of Mozart's Turkish March for wind quartet at:
http://ajisabaki.bravehost.com/recent
He said he would like to compose for contrabassoon and said to contact him at:
[e-mail]
He likes to have specific inspiration for his music.

Answer 2

Contrabassoon (or double bassoon) is a larger version of the bassoon sounding one octave lower, having a technique similar to the bassoon but offers more resistance in every way.
The contrabassoon is another double-reed instrument in the woodwind family.

The Contrabassoon relating to the Bassoon:
The reed is considerably larger, at 70-75 mm in total length as compared to 53-58 mm for most bassoon reeds.
The instrument is twice as long, curves around on itself several times, and, due to its weight and shape, is supported by an endpin rather than a seat strap. Additional support is sometimes given by a strap around the player's neck. A wider hand position is also required, as the primary finger keys are widely spaced.

Answer 3

The contrabassoon, also contrafagotto or double bassoon, is a larger version of the bassoon sounding an octave lower. Its technique is similar to its smaller cousin, with a few notable differences.

Answer 4

Usually contra in music carries the idea of a deeper tone and most instruments with a deeper tone or larger. But you could look it up in wikipedia.

Answer 5

Has to be big since contra anything is deep and big.

Answer 6

don't care...jus need the points