Which instrument family does the bassoon belong to?

The bassoon belongs to the woodwind family.

It is a large double-reed instrument with a folded conical tube. Air makes two joined reeds vibrate, and the player controls pitch with finger holes and keys. The folded design makes the instrument practical to hold while preserving a long air column.

The modern bassoon developed from earlier double-reed instruments such as the dulcian. It became a standard orchestral voice during the 17th and 18th centuries and commonly provides bass and tenor lines within the woodwind section.

Its wooden body can cause confusion because some bassoons use different materials, including hard rubber or modern composites. Instrument families are classified chiefly by how sound is produced, so a woodwind need not be made entirely of wood.