What does the prefix "contra" indicate about the contrabassoon?
A. It sounds two octaves higher than the note written.
B. It sounds at the same pitch as the note written.
C. It sounds one octave higher than the note written.
D. It sounds one octave lower than the note written.
Answer (2)
The prefix 'contra' in 'contrabassoon' means that the instrument sounds one octave lower than the written note. It distinguishes the contrabassoon from the standard bassoon, which sounds at the written pitch. This feature is common in certain instruments with the 'contra' designation, emphasizing deeper sounds. ;
The prefix 'contra' in 'contrabassoon' indicates that the instrument sounds one octave lower than the note written. This differentiates it from the standard bassoon, which plays the notes at the written pitch. Therefore, the correct answer is D: It sounds one octave lower than the note written.
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