Arranging and Orchestration Concepts !! 137Contrabassoon
Range:Parts are written in bass clef and sound one octave below where
they are written. The lowest written note is B-flat, below the bass clef, and
the highest written note is F, above middle C.
Note: In a commercial orchestra setting, the instrument is rarely used
with the exception of film scores (see example 6-41).
Example 6-41 Contrabassoon range: staff indicates where the parts are written.Woodwind Combinations for the Studio
Many woodwind combinations work well. The following are some sug-
gestions:
- Flutes and clarinets playing in octaves
- Clarinet, oboe, and C flute playing in unison
- C flute and oboe in unison or playing in harmony
- Flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon or bass clarinet playing in har-
mony - Oboe and clarinet playing in octaves
- Clarinet with bass clarinet or bassoon playing one octave below
- Two flutes playing in harmony
- Two oboes playing in harmony
- Two bassoons and two clarinets playing in harmony
- Flute playing the highest octave, oboe playing one octave below, and
clarinet one octave below the oboe
Almost any combination sounds good. Many of these groupings blend
well with other sections of the orchestra:
- Flutes with violins
- Bassoons with celli
- Bassoons and bass clarinet with bass trombone and tuba
- Clarinets with almost any instrument
- Muted trumpets and flutes