WOODWIND FAMILY

Flute Clarinet OboeBassoon SaxophoneWOODWIND FAMILYFLUTEThe flute, like the trumpet, is one of the oldest known instruments. The oldest complete, playable instrument is a nearly 9,000-year-old bone flute found in China.

The transverse (side-blown) flutes can be seen in paintings and manuscripts that date back as far as the 14th century, though most flutes were played like the recorder, blowing air in from the end.

FLUTEThe sound is produced by blowing air across the tone hole (a hole in the instrument).

Theobald Boehm designed a system of fingering that is used today, called the Boehm System

FLUTEFlutes a generally made from a silver alloy, although some players prefer to have their flutes made of platinum, gold, or even wood.

There are several sizes of flute that are made.

FLUTE

FLUTE

CLARINETThe clarinet was found in Islamic and Asian countries over 700 years ago. It came to Europe as a folk instrument.

Like most other woodwind instruments, the clarinet uses a reed (single) that vibrates to make sound.

Joseph Denner (famous instrument maker) began manufacturing clarinets in Germany in the late 1600s.CLARINETBoehms fingering system was adapted for use with the clarinet to make it easier to play in the 1800s.

Clarinets perform in all types of music, including classical, jazz, and swing.

CLARINET

OBOEThe oboe is descended from an instrument known as the shawm that dates from about 2800 B.C.

It was introduced to the French courts in the mid-17th century and became part of classical orchestras in the beginning of the 18th century.

OBOEThe oboe is a double reed instrument.

Professionals usually make their own reeds, or have them hand-made.

OBOEThe oboe is an important member of the orchestra. All other instruments tune to it. It is almost never used in marching bands.

OBOE

BASSOONThe origin of the bassoon is a mystery. We do not even know what country it originated in.

Scholars say that it may have been called as many as eight different names throughout history, each with many different spellings.

BASSOONGenerally, thedulcianis considered to be the forerunner of the modern bassoon,as the two instruments share many characteristics.

BASSOONOriginally, the bassoon doubled the cello in orchestral uses.

Its unique shape has not been changed since the 1700s. This is because the sound changes drastically as the shape changes.

The name bassoon came from the bass sound that comes from the instrument. It is written for the bass clef.

BASSOONIt is a double reed instrument that is NOT related to the oboe family.

BASSOON

SAXOPHONEThe saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax and introduced to the world in 1841 at the Brussels Exhibition.

It is classified as a single reed woodwind instrument. However, it is actually a hybrid, using elements of the clarinet and oboe. SAXOPHONEOriginally, it was available in fourteen different sizes and keys.

The most popular ones today are the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones.

SAXOPHONESaxophone is used in many different styles of music like: opera, band, jazz, and popular music.