Woodwinds
Woodwind instruments are a varied bunch! For one, not all woodwinds are made of wood! Also, some have reeds that vibrate to make sound and others you blow into at an angle to make sound.
Flute
The flute is the oldest wind instrument! It is played by blowing into the hole and pressing down on the keys changes the pitch to create beautiful melodies!
In elementary school we learn to play C flute. After playing for a few years you can also try out piccolo, alto flute, and other flutes! You can see these different types of flute demonstrated in the Star Trek Theme video.
Oboe
The oboe is a wind instrument with a double reed, a piece of cane wood attached to the instrument. By blowing into the double reed, an oboist vibrates the reed and creates sound.
Bassoon
The bassoon is a double reed wind instrument, like the oboe. The bassoon plays very low notes.
Clarinet and Bass Clarinet
The clarinet is a wind instrument with a reed, a piece of cane wood attached to the mouthpiece. By blowing into the mouthpiece, a clarinetist vibrates the reed and creates sound. The clarinet can play pitches that are super low and super high! The bass clarinet is similar to the clarinet, but it's larger size allows it to play much lower sounds. Watch a clarinet quartet (3 clarinetist and 1 bass clarinetist) play "Lean On."
Alto Saxophone
The alto saxophone is a reed wind instrument, like the clarinet. Unlike the clarinet, it is made of metal, which gives it a distinctive sound. It is one of the newest instruments! The alto saxophone is part of a large family- there is also the soprano, the tenor, and the bari.