Definition

1. Noun:
   • A musical instrument: The contrafagotto is the largest and lowest-pitched instrument in the oboe family, also commonly known as the contrabassoon. It is a double-reed woodwind instrument that sounds an octave lower than the standard bassoon.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The symphony's deep, rumbling foundation was provided by the contrafagotto.
  • He is one of the few musicians who specializes in playing the contrafagotto.

Advanced Usage

• "to double on contrafagotto": to play both the bassoon and the contrafagotto, often required in professional orchestras.
  • The bassoonist was asked to double on contrafagotto for the Bruckner piece.

Variants and Related Words

• Contrabassoon (n): The more common English term for the contrafagotto. The words are synonyms.
  • The contrabassoon part in that piece is very challenging.

Synonyms

• Contrabassoon: The direct English synonym.
• Double bassoon: An older, less common term for the same instrument.

Noun

1. the bassoon that is the largest instrument in the oboe family