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Woodwinds -
wind instruments that aren't the brass, forming a section of an ensemble, including flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones and bassoons. |
Flute -
The flute is one of the highest instruments in an ensemble. The flute is a long silver tube with 16 keys and a lip plate near the top. The flute has a light, focused tone that can play a variety of styles. Flutes are used in concert bands, full orchestras, marching bands, and some jazz bands. In this recording, go to 1:57 to hear the more lyrical side of the flute, then 7:41 to hear the more technical side. This is Fantaisie brilliant sur Carmen by G. Bizet and F. Borne, played by Denis Bouriakov. |
Oboe -
Oboe is the one instrument that an orchestra typically tunes to. Oboe is very difficult, but when mastered, is a beautiful instrument that can play in a variety of settings. Oboe has a double reed, attached to a wooden tube with keys and a flared bell. The oboe produces a rich tone and has a strong deep sound, in the lower registers especially. Oboes are sweet, and heartfelt. Oboes are used in concert bands and full orchestras. This is Ryan Roberts playing the first movement of the Oboe Concerto in C major, by Mozart. Ryan is a graduated from Samohi in 2014, and is now a member of the New York Philharmonic. |
Clarinet -
Clarinet is a great instrument that can shine through a group. Clarinet is a wide tube with a flared bell, attached to a mouthpiece with a reed. A clarinet is full of melodies and virtuosic notes. Clarinets have bright, cheery tones that cut through an ensemble. Clarinets are used in concert bands, full orchestras, and marching bands. To hear the more virtuosic side of clarinet, start at the beginning. To hear the more technical side, listen at 17:18. This is Anthony McGill playing the Concerto for Clarinet and Band by Bolcom, accompanied by the University of Texas Wind Ensemble. |
Bassoon -
Bassoon is a less common instrument, but it is an awesome instrument. Bassoon has two wooden tubes, attached to a smaller piece of metal called a bocal, which has a double reed on the end. Bassoon has a dark, warm sound that is gorgeous when played well. Bassoons are used in concert bands and full orchestras. To get a good understanding of the bassoon, start at the beginning of the recording to hear the lyrical side, and listen to 2:44 for the more technical side. This is the Saint- Saëns: Sonata for Bassoon and Piano, Op.168, played by Hubert Mittermayer Nesterovskiy. |
Saxophone -
A saxophone is the middle ground between woodwinds and brass instruments. The saxophone is typically made of brass but uses a single reed. The saxophone family has four main instruments. From highest to lowest, there is soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone. Soprano saxophone has a similar sound as an oboe. Alto saxophone is the most popular saxophone to start on. Tenor saxophone is slightly lower than the alto, but has a similar reedy sound. Baritone is the lowest, and is in a similar range as the tuba. Saxophones are used in concert bands, marching bands, and jazz bands. This is a saxophone quartet - Fugue in G minor by the famous J. S. Bach. |