The origins of the name of the octavin are not certain though there are some presumptions. As stated by Grove, octavin is listed as a synonym of ottavina by Venetian builders which date back from 1790. What does it look like? The odd shape of the octavin singles it out from the others. Like a bassoon it is somewhat folded and has two parallel straight bores attached at the underside. Its strings could be made of steel or nylon while its top plate could be made of cedar or spruce. At the top is a circular hole with a diameter of 3.25 inches to 3.5 inches which strengthens and reinforces the produced sound. Sound production Generally, guitars produce sound through the strings vibration. The virginals is a simpler and smaller harpsichord with only a string for every note while the ottavino are similar to virginals but are at four foot pitch. It is sometimes referred to as double virginals. The clavicytherium has its strings and soundboard placed perpendicularly in front of the player just like the upright piano. An example of a mandolin built in these early times was the mandolin by Giuseppe Vinaccia which is preserved in London, England. Geatano Vinaccia built the very first known mandolin in 1744. It is now preserved in Brussels, Belgium. Because it originated from Naples, the mandolins built centuries back are called Neapolitan mandolins. Playing the castanets Traditionally, a castanet player holds one set of castanets on each hand. Flowing with the music and providing syncopation, these are hit together. The fingers manipulate the upper shell while the palm holds the lower shell. When castanets are played with a couple, they symbolize male and female and every set has a particular male or female given name. Together with the flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, and contrabassoon, it covers the role of the bass and tenor instrument of the orchestra. Bassoon history The 16th century ancestor of the bassoon was given many names: fagot for the French, dulcian for the Germans, bajon for the Spanish, curtal for the English, and fagotto for the Italians.