The alto or octave bassoon is an old instrument that has recently been revived along with the tenor bassoon.  It is pitched one octave higher than the standard bassoon.  As the instrument is currently constructed, it has very limited keywork and range, being only two-and-a-half octaves, an octave less than the standard bassoon.  Also, the bottom range is not fully chromatic, lacking the bottom B natural and C sharp. Thus, technique is severely limited.

The alto bassoon also produces a curious buzzy sound, and is almost comical in the wrong hands.