The basset horn was a very popular instrument about the time from 1750 - 1830. Mozart in particular meant a lot to this instrument . It is a bit of an outlier in the clarinet family, It is a low clarinet in F. It is somewhat similar to the alto clarinet which is tuned in E-flat. This one has a more prominent sound. The basset horn has a wide range, up to more than 4 octaves. Special features are the low so-called basset tones from low E-flat to low C. These are played with the right thumb and both pinks. The sound is soft and enveloping. The mouthpiece is somewhat larger than a mouthpiece of an ordinary clarinet. Where does the name basset horn come from? The term “basset” would indicate the translation of “small bass.” The second syllable “horn” obviously has nothing to do with the brass instrument. There is some talk in the literature about a Mr. “Horn” having something to do with its development. However, nothing of this has been proven. Perhaps the name “horn” refers to the fact that the first basset horns had a curved shape . From the mid-19th century, the basset horn takes on a more straight shape as we know it today. The basset horn was probably never really invented, but further developed from the clarinette d'amour. The names of the Mayerhofen brothers and Theodor Lotz are mentioned who improved the intruments more and more.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century we hardly see basset horns anymore, The orchestras of the Romantic era became too large and too loud to accommodate the basset horn. The alto clarinet was able to become more established, especially in military music and wind ensembles, it continued to appear. In the 1980s, the basset horn began a major advance.