Croissant or strudel? There are actually two very distinct types of bassoons in use today, the German system and the French system. The German system is by far the more popular, especially in North America, with the French system played mostly in France, Belgium and parts of South America. The German system was developed by a single maker in the late 1800s and has a more even and controlled tone, while the French system developed slowly over time and is considered by some to be more musically expressive. Oh, and the thinner bore of the French bassoon makes it easier to play the upper range of the instrument, which is why American college students always look like they’re about to pass out as they try to squeak out those high notes in the Jolivet.