The woodwinds

the woodwinds

-often seen behind the strings

-instruments that are (generally) made of wood and played using air

-single reeds and double reeds

-the least homogenous section of the symphony orchestra in terms of sound

The flute and the piccolo

-the piccolo is the highest instrument in the orchestra (and the smallest)

-the flute and the piccolo do not use a reed and nowadays are often made of metal

-origins in the ancient world (made from animal bones)

The oboe and Cor anglaise

-double reed instruments

-smallest range in the woodwind family

-oboe developed from the shawm (middle ages/renaissance instrument) came into being in the mid-17th century

-lyrical, exotic and piercing

the clarinets

-perhaps the most versatile woodwind instrument

-single-reed, wide range and great tone variety

-various types, identified by shape and key. The most commonplace is the b-flat

-developed from the “chalumeau” invented by Johan Denner

the saxophones

-no typically found in the symphony orchestra, but in marching and symphonic bands, and the wind ensemble

-invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840’s, single reed, cousins to the clarinet

-various types, identified by shape and key, most commonplace are the alto and tenor saxophones

-heard in jazz, pop, and rock music

The bassoon

-the bass voice of the woodwind family

-double-reed, came in use in mid-17th century France and then Italy, at first had very few keys

-contrabassoon: larger and lower range than bassoon, the lowest instrument of the symphony orchestra