The bassoon is a double-reed woodwind instrument known for its distinctive shape and wide range of characters, from the clownish to the lyrical. A double reed consists of two pieces of cane tied together that vibrate against each other when air is blown through them. This is fundamentally different from the single reed of a clarinet, which vibrates against a mouthpiece. The bassoon's body is over eight feet long, but it is folded in a 'U' shape to make it manageable for the player. The air travels down one tube and up another before exiting through the bell. Bassoonists must master a complex fingering system that utilizes all ten fingers, including the thumbs, which are responsible for operating multiple keys on the back of the instrument. It is one of the most difficult woodwind instruments to master due to the fragility of the reeds and the physical coordination required for its fingering.