What is "dulcian"

n. (context musical instruments English) A Renaissance bass woodwind instrument, with a double reed and a folded conical bore

The dulcian is a Renaissance woodwind instrument, with a double reed and a folded conical bore. Equivalent terms include "curtal" in English, "Dulzian" in German, "bajón" in Spanish, "douçaine"' in French, "dulciaan" in Dutch, and "dulciana" in Italian.

The predecessor of the modern bassoon, it flourished between 1550 and 1700, but was probably invented earlier. Towards the end of this period it co-existed with, and was then superseded by the baroque bassoon, although it continued to be used in Spain until early in the twentieth century. It was played in both secular and sacred contexts, throughout northern and western Europe, as well as in the New World.