The bassoon is a large woodwind instrument. It has a long tube shape. It has holes and keys. The mouthpiece is long and skinny. Two pieces of wood, called reeds, are tied together. This is called a double reed. Blowing between the reeds on the mouthpiece makes the sound of the bassoon.

The sound made by a bassoon is very low. A player sits to play the bassoon. The bassoon is held in front of the player. It is too heavy to hold with hands alone. The player sits on a strap attached to the bottom of the bassoon. It is a difficult instrument to learn and play.