A very large double-reed woodwind instrument pitched lower than the standard bassoon, producing deep bass notes.
From Italian 'contra-' (against, contrary to) + 'fagotto' (bassoon). The prefix 'contra-' indicates the instrument goes against normal range by going even lower than a regular bassoon.
Composers write for the contrafagotto to achieve sounds so deep they're felt more than heard—it's like the bassoon went to the gym and wanted to prove it could go lower than anyone thought possible.
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