136 !!Chapter 6
Example 6-38 Oboe range.C, and the highest written note is F, one octave above the treble clef (see
example 6-39).
Example 6-39 English horn in F range: staff indicates where the parts are written.Bassoon
The bassoon is the lowest of the commonly used double-reed instruments.
It has a beautiful, almost muted quality. A bassoon, along with a bass clar-
inet, typically plays the low part in a woodwind section.
When played in its low register, it can take on the role of a comedian.
When playing a melody in a middle or high register, it can sound beauti-
ful. The bassoon blends well with almost any orchestral instrument.
There are a limited number of concertos and chamber pieces written
for the bassoon when compared to the repertoire written for flutes and
clarinets.
Range:The bassoon is a nontransposing instrument. Parts are written
in the bass clef. If notes are written in a high register, the tenor clef may be
used. The lowest note is B-flat, below the bass clef, and the highest note is
E-flat, on the top space of the treble clef. The E-flat is notated using the
tenor clef (see example 6-40).
Example 6-40 Bassoon range.