What is a contrabassoon and is it 18 ft long?

The contrabassoon is a musical instrument in the woodwind family, specifically a larger version of the bassoon, and it plays an octave lower than the standard bassoon. While its length can vary slightly depending on the design, a typical contrabassoon is around 16 to 17 feet long when fully extended, not 18 feet. It produces deep, rich tones and is often used in orchestral and chamber music settings.