Contrabassoonist

/ˌkɒntrəbæˈsuːnɪst/ noun

Definition

A musician who plays the contrabassoon, a very large woodwind instrument that produces deep, low sounds.

Etymology

From 'contra-' (against, opposite) + 'bassoon' + '-ist' (one who practices). The contrabassoon emerged in the 19th century as composers wanted even lower notes than the standard bassoon could provide.

Kelly Says

The contrabassoon is so massive that players often need special chairs with extended legs to sit while playing it—it's like the bassoon's enormous, thundering cousin that barely fits in an orchestra pit!

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