An electroacoustic double reed instrument that controls effects machines and synthesisers.

The Serpentine Bassoon is a unique Australian double-reed instrument constructed from a 2.6 meter leather tube [the equivalent length of a bassoon].

This conical bore instrument was designed and built by Gary Greenwood specifically for and in collaboration with Joanne Cannon.



Leather is a flexible material, allowing itself to be looped and curved to achieve a playable shape.

Unlike the instrument's early music equivalent; the serpent [an instrument constructed from wood and then covered with leather], the serpentine bassoon is constructed from two sheets of polished leather; providing a good acoustically reflective surface inside and out.

The leather tube is then wet-formed into the specific shape and heat dried. Leather is less resonant in comparison to other acoustic materials.

This facilitates amplification without the usual worries of screeching feedback tones.