The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically appears in orchestra, concert band, and chamber music literature. Known for its distinctive tone, color, range, and agility the bassoon creates a warm, dark, reedy timbre often compared to that of the male baritone voice. Unlike the flute, clarinet, or saxophone, the bassoon cannot be supported by a player’s hands alone.

Bassoon embouchure is an important aspect of producing a full, round tone and is made by putting one’s lips together as if one were to whistle but the jaw is dropped as if were to yawn without opening one’s mouth.