Woodwind instruments

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In the world of music we have a wide variety of tools that allow us to create and express ideas through this art. The main ones may be the musical instruments. Since music is made up of various elements such as rhythm, texture, harmony, and melody, it is not wonder that there are so many different types of instruments to bring something to music with their strengths features.

Some instruments have rhythmic qualities, others harmonics and others can combine several simultaneously; but the truth is that depending on its characteristics, an instrument can be ideal for a specific function. In this lesson from a TEACHER we will talk about one of these types of instruments: woodwind instruments.

Index

1. What are woodwind instruments
2. How woodwind instruments work
3. What are woodwind instruments: examples

In music musical instruments are classified depending on the method they use for sound production. In the case of wind instruments, as their name indicates, the main medium is the passage of air. These instruments are also called

There are two general categories for wind instruments: metal wind and woodwind and refer to the material with which they are made. In the case of brass instruments this is exact since they are made of metal, but in the case of woodwinds this is not always the case. In the beginning, the woodwind instruments were made with this material, but with the evolution of these, some parts have been modified and some materials have been replaced. Despite this, the category name remains.

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Woodwinds use the musician's lung capacity to blow through one end of the instrument, the air passes through the body that is usually cylindrical and it has holes that can be covered or released to change notes. Have different diameters and lengths depending on the timbre and the desired tessitura. Many are made up of several parts that must be put together before playing and taken apart again for storage.

Many woodwind instruments require a specific piece such as the reed or reed, which is a small piece that comes into contact with the mouth and is the main responsible for creating the vibration.

In terms of sound, wind instruments are ideal for creating melodies and can be very agile to produce quick notes or cool effects. Together they can create very interesting, sweet and richly nuanced orchestral textures.

To conclude this lesson on woodwind instruments it is important that we know some examples of these instruments. They are as follows:

• Recorder: It is very common that it is used for educational purposes thanks to its low cost and accessibility. It is made of plastic and there are different tessitura (soprano, alto, tenor, etc.). It works on the basis of bezel, which is an oblique cut in a piece of the instrument, mainly responsible for the vibration. It is played vertically with 2 hands, the fingers cover the holes directly.
• Transverse flute: It is made of metal and is played horizontally, it also works with bezel. Unlike the recorder, the holes are covered and uncovered by means of mechanisms with keys. This flute is the one most commonly used in symphony orchestras.
• Picolo or piccolo: Its timbre is similar to that of the transverse flute but its tessitura is sharper. In terms of size, it is smaller. It is manufactured with a wooden body and metal parts. It also has mechanisms with keys for the holes.
• Oboe: Its body is made of wood and has metal parts, it works with double reed. In contrast to flutes, the oboe has a nasal sounding timbre. It is played vertically with both hands through mechanisms with keys.
• English horn: It is an instrument very similar to the oboe since its construction is derived from it. Despite its name, its origin is not English. The English horn is less common than the oboe in the symphony orchestra, yet it is still used frequently. In terms of sound, it is a little darker than the oboe and has a slightly lower register.
• Clarinet: It is also played vertically and works with simple reed. It is made of wood that is usually black in color and has metal parts. Another common form of the clarinet is the bass clarinet, which has a more serious tessitura.
• Bassoon: Of the woodwind family in an orchestra, it is the instrument with the lowest tessitura. Its body is made of wood and measures approximately 1 meter and a half. It works with double reed and metal parts attached to the body. It is also played vertically, with both hands and key mechanisms. Within the same family there are bassoon and counter-bassoon, which have different tessitura.

The woodwind family of instruments gives music a tone of warmth and closenessa, after all their sound sensation is very close to that of the human voice and therefore they are ideal for creating melodies. The next time you see an orchestra you will be able to pay more attention to these instruments and you could even encourage yourself to learn to play one.

Image: Musicocracia

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