On top of different fingerings, it's tough when the instrument isn't one of the "cute" ones, like big cats and other mammals getting more attention from conserv

On top of different fingerings, it's tough when the instrument isn't one of the "cute" ones, like big cats and other mammals getting more attention from conservation efforts. Its inability to find a home with a lot of popular genres over the last hundred or so years has let it fall further from the public consciousness, and its tonal sweet spot being so low means it can't easily slide into the parts written for other more pop-friendly instruments. It's a bit harsh as well, when we're comparing to alto saxophones and clarinets and such. I learned it and played it for years growing up and loved the bassoon. (For what it's worth, I also cut my fingers on a viola before that, so I may just have made a point to pick the odd instruments.) I'd certainly like to see it revived or even see it find a niche in modern music. I'm just not sure where that would be.