Instruments of the Instruments of the Band and Band and OrchestraOrchestraWoodwind FamilyWoodwind Family

Woodwind FamilyWoodwind Family

Woodwinds get their name by the make of the Woodwinds get their name by the make of the instrument (primarily wood).instrument (primarily wood).

All woodwind instruments are made out of a All woodwind instruments are made out of a tube, usually with holes in it. When all holes are tube, usually with holes in it. When all holes are covered, air goes all the way to the end of the covered, air goes all the way to the end of the tube and makes a low sound. When the holes tube and makes a low sound. When the holes are open, the air goes only a little way and are open, the air goes only a little way and makes a high sound. makes a high sound.

To further increase their range of notes, most of To further increase their range of notes, most of the woodwind instruments come in different the woodwind instruments come in different sizes (eg. soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, sizes (eg. soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, etc.).tenor saxophone, etc.).

Woodwind FamilyWoodwind Family

Woodwind instruments may make sounds in Woodwind instruments may make sounds in three different ways:three different ways: Some, like the flute, make a sound by blowing air Some, like the flute, make a sound by blowing air

across a across a tone holetone hole. . Single reedSingle reed instruments, like the clarinet and instruments, like the clarinet and

saxophone, use a single piece of cane, which saxophone, use a single piece of cane, which vibrates, to produce a sound. vibrates, to produce a sound.

The oboe, English horn, and bassoon used a The oboe, English horn, and bassoon used a double double reedreed, or two pieces of cane vibrating against each , or two pieces of cane vibrating against each other, to make a sound. other, to make a sound.

Tone HolesTone Holes

Sound is produced by blowing across the Sound is produced by blowing across the tone hole of the flute, like blowing across tone hole of the flute, like blowing across the top of a bottle. The keys on the flute the top of a bottle. The keys on the flute allow you to change pitch. allow you to change pitch.

Flute and Piccolos are the tone hole Flute and Piccolos are the tone hole woodwind instruments. woodwind instruments.

FluteFlute

The most ancient of The most ancient of woodwind instruments. woodwind instruments. Even though flutes are Even though flutes are made of brass now, the made of brass now, the earliest form of a flute was earliest form of a flute was a hollow wooden stick a hollow wooden stick with holes in it.with holes in it.

Modern flutes are made Modern flutes are made of a metal tube in three of a metal tube in three pieces.pieces.

FluteFlute

PiccoloPiccolo

Half the size of the flute and has two Half the size of the flute and has two pieces.pieces.

It sounds one octave higher than the It sounds one octave higher than the flute.flute.

It is the smallest instrument in the It is the smallest instrument in the orchestra.orchestra.

Double ReedDouble Reed

Double reed instruments are made up of two Double reed instruments are made up of two very thin reeds tied at the end.very thin reeds tied at the end.

The sound is produced when the player The sound is produced when the player focuses the air through the reed at high focuses the air through the reed at high pressure.pressure.

The reeds vibrate against each other to get a The reeds vibrate against each other to get a sound. sound.

The double reeds consist of: English Horn, The double reeds consist of: English Horn, Oboe, Bassoon, and Contra Bassoon.Oboe, Bassoon, and Contra Bassoon.

Oboe and English HornOboe and English Horn

The English horn has a lower, richer The English horn has a lower, richer sound than the oboe. sound than the oboe.

The oboe is smaller than the English The oboe is smaller than the English horn. Its bell flares out like a clarinet.horn. Its bell flares out like a clarinet.

The English horn has a curved bell like a The English horn has a curved bell like a light bulb and is slightly longer than the light bulb and is slightly longer than the oboe.oboe.

Oboe and English HornOboe and English Horn

OboeOboe

Bassoon and Contra Bassoon and Contra BassoonBassoon

The contra bassoon is one octave lower The contra bassoon is one octave lower and much bigger than the bassoon. and much bigger than the bassoon.

These are the tenor (bassoon) and bass These are the tenor (bassoon) and bass (contra bassoon) of the woodwind family. (contra bassoon) of the woodwind family.

They are the lowest instruments in the They are the lowest instruments in the woodwind family. woodwind family.

The bassoon is shaped like a pole while The bassoon is shaped like a pole while the contra bassoon is curved.the contra bassoon is curved.

Bassoon and Contra Bassoon and Contra BassoonBassoon

Single Reed Single Reed

Single reed instruments consist of one reed Single reed instruments consist of one reed placed on a mouthpiece. The reed is held placed on a mouthpiece. The reed is held together on the mouthpiece by a ligature. together on the mouthpiece by a ligature.

Air is blown through the mouthpiece which Air is blown through the mouthpiece which causes the reed to vibrate and produces a causes the reed to vibrate and produces a sound.sound.

Single reed instruments include: Clarinet, Bass Single reed instruments include: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, and Baritone Saxophone.Tenor Saxophone, and Baritone Saxophone.

Clarinet and Bass Clarinet and Bass ClarinetClarinet

The bass clarinet is one octave lower than the The bass clarinet is one octave lower than the clarinet. clarinet.

The clarinet is very flexible in the orchestra. It The clarinet is very flexible in the orchestra. It has a very wide range. It has a rich low sound, has a very wide range. It has a rich low sound, smooth middle sound, and shrill upper sound.smooth middle sound, and shrill upper sound.

The bass clarinet is much larger than the The bass clarinet is much larger than the clarinet and sits on the ground while you play clarinet and sits on the ground while you play it.it.

There are many other types of clarinets that There are many other types of clarinets that are less commonly used. All the clarinets are less commonly used. All the clarinets make up a clarinet family. make up a clarinet family.

Clarinet FamilyClarinet Family

There are up to 27 different types of clarinets. Only about 3 or 4 types are primarily used in orchestras and band.

The two most commonly used are the B flat soprano clarinet and the B flat bass clarinet.

Clarinet and Bass Clarinet and Bass ClarinetClarinet

Clarinet & BassoonClarinet & Bassoon

Clarinet Spotlight:Clarinet Spotlight:Benny GoodmanBenny Goodman

Benny Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an Benny Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American jazz musician and clarinetist, known as "King American jazz musician and clarinetist, known as "King of Swing".of Swing".

Over the years he played with the greatest figures in jazz: Louis Armstrong, Over the years he played with the greatest figures in jazz: Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and countless others. Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and countless others.

That crowded career, spanning more than six decades, That crowded career, spanning more than six decades, had an almost unparalleled impact on popular music and had an almost unparalleled impact on popular music and the importance of the clarinet in both jazz and classical the importance of the clarinet in both jazz and classical music. Thousands of youngsters throughout the world music. Thousands of youngsters throughout the world were influenced to play the clarinet through listening to were influenced to play the clarinet through listening to Benny Goodman’s recordings and live performances, and the style of those Benny Goodman’s recordings and live performances, and the style of those who turned to jazz was universally patterned after what they heard Benny who turned to jazz was universally patterned after what they heard Benny play, whether or not they realized it. The popularity of the “big band” format play, whether or not they realized it. The popularity of the “big band” format is another of the legacies of this musical giant. is another of the legacies of this musical giant.

Saxophone FamilySaxophone Family

The saxophone was invented in 1840. It is The saxophone was invented in 1840. It is newer than other musical instruments.newer than other musical instruments.

It is mainly used in jazz bands.It is mainly used in jazz bands. They are usually made of brass. Saxophones They are usually made of brass. Saxophones

are categorized in the woodwind family are categorized in the woodwind family because they use reeds. Some because they use reeds. Some saxes are actually made of wood, saxes are actually made of wood, which is extremely rare.which is extremely rare.

Saxophone FamilySaxophone Family

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone SaxophoneBaritone Saxophone

The soprano sax is the highest pitched The soprano sax is the highest pitched instrument and is shaped like a clarinet. instrument and is shaped like a clarinet.

The alto sax (the most commonly played) has The alto sax (the most commonly played) has a mid range pitch. The bell curves out of the a mid range pitch. The bell curves out of the body.body.

The tenor sax is slightly larger with a lower The tenor sax is slightly larger with a lower pitch than the alto. pitch than the alto.

The baritone sax is the largest saxophone and The baritone sax is the largest saxophone and has an extremely low sound.has an extremely low sound.

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone SaxophoneBaritone Saxophone

Saxophone Spotlight:Saxophone Spotlight:John ColtraneJohn Coltrane

John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. From 1957 onward saxophonist and composer. From 1957 onward he recorded and produced dozens of albums, he recorded and produced dozens of albums, many of them not released until years after his many of them not released until years after his death. He achieved extraordinary popularity, death. He achieved extraordinary popularity, while also responding to a religious awakening while also responding to a religious awakening that has made him a source of spiritual that has made him a source of spiritual inspiration.inspiration.

He was called to military service during WWII, He was called to military service during WWII, where he performed in the U.S. Navy Band in where he performed in the U.S. Navy Band in Hawaii. After the war, Coltrane began playing Hawaii. After the war, Coltrane began playing tenor saxophone.tenor saxophone.

Woodwind Instruments:Woodwind Instruments:ReviewReview

Name these woodwind instruments:Name these woodwind instruments:

Woodwind Instruments:Woodwind Instruments:Review Review

What are the double reed instruments?

What are the single reed instruments?