The Woodwind Family
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One of the first things a new musician learns is that instruments are categorized
by family. That is, instruments with similar features are grouped together in a
family of instruments similar to them. Families of musical instruments may look
similar, or they may produce sound in a similar fashion.
Musical families include percussion, brass, woodwind and string. Some instruments
fit perfectly within its family of instruments, other instruments, like the piano,
may belong to one family or another, depending on whom you ask.
In an orchestra setting, families of instruments are often grouped together. That
is, string members sit next to one another, and brass instruments are located near
each other.
The Woodwind Family
The woodwind family includes a number of instruments, many of them popular with
school band musicians. Members of the woodwind family include: the clarinet; the
oboe; the bassoon; the flute; the recorder; the piccolo and the bagpipes.
The flute is perhaps the most popular member of the woodwind family, and is also
the oldest instrument in the family. It is believed that the flute made its way
to Europe from China during the 12th century, and the instrument dates as far back
as 900 BC. The flute typically serves as the soprano voice in an orchestra.
The oboe has a range of three octaves, but is difficult to play as it requires a
great deal of wind, requiring musicians to learn proper breathing techniques. Another
popular member of the woodwind family is the clarinet. The clarinet was invented
in the early 18th century by Joann Cristoph Denner, a German instrument
maker. The saxophone, which is poplar in Rock and Jazz music, was developed in 1840
by a Belgian instrument maker, Adolph Sax.
Woodwind instruments are called “woodwind” because the instruments used
to be made from wood. Today, woodwind instruments can be made from a variety of
materials, including wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of materials.
Woodwinds produce sound by blowing into them, either through a reed or through an
edge. Sound is produced through vibration. The reed on many woodwind instruments
is made of wood, plastic or cane and depending on the instrument, there may be more
than one reed used to make noise.
Single reed woodwind instruments include the clarinet and the saxophone. Double
reed instruments include the oboe and the bassoon.
In a modern symphony orchestra there are numerous members of the woodwind family
present. A modern orchestra typically includes 1 piccolo, 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 1 English
horn, 3 clarinets, 1 bass clarinet, 3 bassoons and 1 contrabassoon.