History of the Bassoon

(Late 13th Century - 17th Century)

The shawm, a medieval and Renaissance musical instrument of the woodwind family, is developed from the zurna. It is used in Europe until the 17th century and is the predecessor of the curtal and eventually the modern oboe and bassoon.

Additional links:
    Shawm
    Renaissance Shawm
    Shawm Making

History

Timeline

• Overview



• Suona, Laba, Zurna
     (200 - 450 AD)



• Shawm
     (Late 13th Century - 17th Century)



• Curtal, Dulcian, Fagot, Fagotto, Bajon
     (1460 - 1660)



• Bassoon, Basson, Fagot, Fagott, Fagotto
     (1644 - 1700)



• Development and Makers
     (18th Century)



• Development and Makers
     (19th - 20th Century)

Historical Instrument Pictures

Click on the following links to see images of historical bassoons and contrabassoons sorted by maker and year:

• Bassoons 1600s



• Bassoons 1700s (A-F)


• Bassoons 1700s (G-L)


• Bassoons 1700s (M-S)


• Bassoons 1700s (T-Z)


• Contrabassoons 1700s



• Bassoons 1800s (A-G)


• Bassoons 1800s (H-L)


• Bassoons 1800s (M-S)


• Bassoons 1800s (T-Z)


• Contrabassoons 1800s



• Bassoons 1900s


• Contrabassoons 1900s