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This distinctive instrument is the bass voice of the orchestra's double-reed family. Like its higher-pitched cousin, the oboe, it uses two pieces of cane vibrating against each other to create its sound, but its range sits a full two octaves lower. Its most recognizable feature is the U-shaped "boot" at its base, which is a clever design necessity. If the instrument's conical wooden tube were straightened out, it would stretch to an unwieldy length of nearly nine feet, making it far too cumbersome for a musician to hold and play.
The instrument's large size and complex keywork give it an enormous expressive range, from deep, somber tones to nimble, humorous passages. This versatility has earned it the nickname "clown of the orchestra," as it can be both lyrical and comical depending on the composer's needs. Its most famous role is arguably portraying the stern but loving grandfather in Sergei Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf," where its low, reedy voice perfectly captures the old man's character. For even deeper notes, composers turn to its larger sibling, the contrabassoon, which plays an octave lower still.
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