I just came across this instrument, and I'm awed at its timbre and your ability to make it sing. It sounds very much like a cello's lower register, exept more reedy. Hopefully it becomes more well known so more ensembles use them
I have a question, in orchestras, what part do you play. Im guessing there usually arent contraforte parts, so do you play the bass part, or 3rd bassoon? what?
I got a regular contra recently and made my contra premier when the orchestra (in which I normally play regular bassoon) played the Beethoven V! This guy plays a LOT better than I do. I'm still learning my way around.
@@beaglemanzzz. Your right!! And wrong at the same time. This isn’t meant to sound like a bassoon perfectly as it goes an octave lower. This instrument sound like the natural extensions of the bassoon (and way more than a normal contrabassoon).
Hi Kris -- would you be so kind as to share the dimensions of the flight case for this instrument -- if you have one? I'm trying to design a touring road case (for all the bassoons) around it, and there's not much information out there. (And our Contraforte hasn't arrived yet, but the road case design is due... soon). #militaryband ;-)
12''x15''x58'' is the aluminum flight case, there is also a gig bag and a second style of flight case. Do you know which case you ordered? I think the dimensions I listed will be the biggest sized of the cases.
@@bassoonkris Thanks so much! That makes more sense to me. I think the shipping dimensions Midwest provided must have included the gig bag and some packing material. Your numbers line up a lot more with what I expected. We ordered this beast last summer -- still hasn't arrived -- two more weeks is the rumor. Definitely looking forward to seeing what it does for the low winds (and seeing if it can hold its own against three tubas!) In the meantime, I'll have a finished design ready to go!
AlaskanTrain21 well I would just keep both. They are In a way two different instruments,sound on this is more like cello or tuba. This would work but some pieces work better on contrabassoon.
@@instrumentalheadquarters7062 Maybe the contrabassoon could be kept for Classical or Neoclassical pieces, while the Contraforte with its smoother tone can play Romantic Era or Impressionist works. I slightly prefer the Contraforte's sound in general.
@@jacobbass6437 All timbres have value. Removing an essential timbre written for for centuries would limit the capacity of music. I would like it added, not replacing
Not at all, it is an unfortunate name having "forte" in it. But the instrument is no louder than a contrabassoon, and has fewer problem notes. I also think bassoonists have drifted away from the reedier sounds and go for something darker, which makes contraforte a more natural lower extension
It's not such a bad name. One of the problems with a contrabassoon is "hitting the wall" on volume somewhere around _mf,_ right? Well, this one goes to eleven, or at least to _f._
@@bassoonkris How does contraforte blend with contrabassoon parts? If they were to play in unison, would it sound strange? I am debating whether or not I want 2 contrabassoons or a contraforte and contrabassoon in bassoon septet I'm making
Mason Guy I have played CF in Rite of Spring a few times alongside the other contra part being played on CB. The blend is easy but it depends on the players, on both instruments the blend is better in the middle and high registers
I just came across this instrument, and I'm awed at its timbre and your ability to make it sing. It sounds very much like a cello's lower register, exept more reedy. Hopefully it becomes more well known so more ensembles use them
This sounds so nice. I'd love to hear all the suites played with a contraforte
I have a question, in orchestras, what part do you play. Im guessing there usually arent contraforte parts, so do you play the bass part, or 3rd bassoon? what?
It plays contrabassoon parts. It's just a redesigned version of a contrabassoon.
I think this deserves more views.
I got a regular contra recently and made my contra premier when the orchestra (in which I normally play regular bassoon) played the Beethoven V! This guy plays a LOT better than I do. I'm still learning my way around.
beautiful!!!!! If I had a few tens of thousands of bucks extra, I'd LOVE to buy one!!!!!
BEAUTIFUL SOUND.
I'd love to hear the Mozart Bassoon Concerto. Is this instrument as dexterous as a bassoon?
Way better than a contrabassoon
Except it doesnt really sound like a bassoon
@@beaglemanzzz. Your right!! And wrong at the same time. This isn’t meant to sound like a bassoon perfectly as it goes an octave lower. This instrument sound like the natural extensions of the bassoon (and way more than a normal contrabassoon).
Does this use a regular contrabassoon reed or does it need something different?
It doesn't need, but it makes the sound more beautiful to use the contraforte reed instead of contrabassoon's.
It sounds even better with specially designed reeds I've heard
Браво за исполнение! Этот инструмент не контра-фагот, а контра-гобой?
Is there a regular bassoon version of this instrument out there?
Wow this thing is cool
Goose bumps dude! So wonderful to hear.
Beautifully played, Bravo!
So is this like the “3rd” new member of the bassoon family?
It sounds almost like a Contrabass Sax.
Superb ! Congratulations !
Hi Kris -- would you be so kind as to share the dimensions of the flight case for this instrument -- if you have one? I'm trying to design a touring road case (for all the bassoons) around it, and there's not much information out there. (And our Contraforte hasn't arrived yet, but the road case design is due... soon). #militaryband ;-)
12''x15''x58'' is the aluminum flight case, there is also a gig bag and a second style of flight case. Do you know which case you ordered? I think the dimensions I listed will be the biggest sized of the cases.
@@bassoonkris Thanks so much! That makes more sense to me. I think the shipping dimensions Midwest provided must have included the gig bag and some packing material. Your numbers line up a lot more with what I expected. We ordered this beast last summer -- still hasn't arrived -- two more weeks is the rumor. Definitely looking forward to seeing what it does for the low winds (and seeing if it can hold its own against three tubas!) In the meantime, I'll have a finished design ready to go!
yeah let's start a movement to replace the contrabassoon with this thing
AlaskanTrain21 well I would just keep both. They are In a way two different instruments,sound on this is more like cello or tuba. This would work but some pieces work better on contrabassoon.
That would hurt music, not enhance it.
@@instrumentalheadquarters7062 Maybe the contrabassoon could be kept for Classical or Neoclassical pieces, while the Contraforte with its smoother tone can play Romantic Era or Impressionist works. I slightly prefer the Contraforte's sound in general.
@@mason11198 how?
@@jacobbass6437 All timbres have value. Removing an essential timbre written for for centuries would limit the capacity of music. I would like it added, not replacing
Very good! How much does such an instrument ?
Renato Luis Junior I saw one for $56,000.
That makes sense, it is a rather recent and rare instrument that is very amazing, and made by one producer
How long did it take you to learn this beautiful instrument?
+Jorin Benson I am still in the process of learning it.
@Scribbli Chheery He's done some pretty amazing things with it so safe to say he's up there
كل الجمال والابداع
It's like a contrabassoon if it didn't suck
do you have trouble blending with a bassoon section compared to a traditional contrabassoon on this instrument?
Not at all, it is an unfortunate name having "forte" in it. But the instrument is no louder than a contrabassoon, and has fewer problem notes. I also think bassoonists have drifted away from the reedier sounds and go for something darker, which makes contraforte a more natural lower extension
qual e valor do contra forte?
It's not such a bad name. One of the problems with a contrabassoon is "hitting the wall" on volume somewhere around _mf,_ right? Well, this one goes to eleven, or at least to _f._
@@bassoonkris How does contraforte blend with contrabassoon parts? If they were to play in unison, would it sound strange? I am debating whether or not I want 2 contrabassoons or a contraforte and contrabassoon in bassoon septet I'm making
Mason Guy I have played CF in Rite of Spring a few times alongside the other contra part being played on CB. The blend is easy but it depends on the players, on both instruments the blend is better in the middle and high registers
It’s like they took a contrabassoon and removed all the soul.