What does fagotti mean?
Fagotti is the Italian-style plural of fagotto, the bassoon. In orchestral contexts it can refer either to several bassoon instruments considered together or, metonymically, to the bassoon section that plays them, so a phrase such as “the fagotti enter” normally means that the bassoon players enter rather than that individual instruments move on their own. The plural ending -i comes through Italian, where fagotti is the plural of fagotto, and reflects the word’s strong association with European classical music. English speakers may encounter the form in scores, concert listings, discussions of wind orchestration, and references to the work of composers who wrote conspicuously for bassoons. It is more technical and international in flavour than the ordinary plural bassoons, which is the normal everyday form. The related term contrabassoon or double bassoon denotes a lower-pitched member of the family, not another fagotto. Knowing the distinction helps readers interpret both orchestral instructions and historical musical texts accurately.
noun (plural)The plural of fagotto: several bassoons collectively, especially the bassoon section of an orchestra or ensemble.
- Several bassoons considered collectively, or metonymically the players who perform on bassoons in an orchestra or ensemble.
"The bassoonist led the fagotti through the restrained opening passage."
"The bassoonist led the fagotti through the restrained opening passage."
"Two fagotti were positioned beside the double bass during the warm-up."
Fagotti is the standard Italian-style plural of fagotto. A single bassoon is a fagotto.
"The fagotti provided a dark, blended accompaniment."
An Italian-style plural hides in plain sight: fagotti means bassoons, especially an orchestral bassoon section.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does fagotti come from?
The English form fagotti was borrowed from Italian fagotti, the plural of fagotto. Italian fagotto in turn derives through French basson, ultimately from Latin bassus, meaning “low” and reflecting the instrument’s low register. The same root underlies cognates including bassoon, bass, and base.
How fagotti is actually used
The form is used mainly in formal musical and orchestral contexts. It may denote the instruments collectively or, metonymically, the players who perform on them; in everyday English, bassoons is more usual.
Easily confused with fagotti
Fagotto is the singular form and denotes one bassoon, whereas fagotti is the plural and denotes several bassoons or the bassoon section collectively.