Woodwind Instruments Facts & Worksheets

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The instruments in this family, which were initially composed entirely of wood, are played by blowing air into the mouthpiece; hence the rather clever term “woodwinds.”

See the fact file below for more information about Woodwind Instruments, or you can download our 28-page Woodwind Instruments worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

• Woodwind instruments come in various shapes and sizes, but they always make music by causing air to vibrate in a specific location. 
• However, there are two fundamental sorts of woodwind instruments: flutes, which vibrate air in a particular space, and those that use a reed, or a little piece of wood, to vibrate the air to make the note.

Reeds

• The reed instruments are the other set of instruments in the woodwind family. When a performer blows on a reed (or two in some instruments), the air in a chamber vibrates, causing music to be produced. The air then exits through holes, producing a specific tone.
• The clarinet and saxophone are single-reed instruments, but the oboe is a double-reed instrument. 
• Bagpipes are classified as double-reed instruments as well. These and string instruments are now the foundation of many modern orchestras.
• The earliest woodwind instrument was created almost 43,000 years ago. To put this in context, humans began farming or domesticating animals 12,000 years ago. 
• Woodwind instruments were among humanity’s first tools. The first woodwind instrument was a flute carved from a bear’s thighbone. 
• Bone was an obvious choice for a flute since the length of the bone is hollow when the marrow is drained. 
• The other primary class of woodwinds that use reeds evolved at the same period as farming, around 10,000 BC, and most likely began as animal sounds.

THE WOODWIND FAMILY

• The woodwind family of instruments is distinguished by their mouthpieces and how sound is produced when they are played. 
• Air is blasted across a hole in the mouthpiece or vibrates reeds (single or double) in the mouthpiece.
• Woodwind instruments are typically cylinder-shaped, with holes along the body that open and close to produce pitch. 
• Aside from opening or closing the holes, the musician can use their fingers to generate a vibration in the sound, known as trills. 
• Woodwind instruments were traditionally made of wood, although modern instruments might be made of wood, metal, plastic, or a combination of these materials.
• The woodwind family includes numerous instruments. But there are only five that are primarily utilized in orchestras. Among these woodwind instruments are:
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet
  • Saxophone
  • Bassoon

FLUTE

• The flute is the oldest woodwind instrument. 
• Flutes are often made of metal (silver, gold, or platinum), with the mouthpiece on the side at the instrument’s top. To make a sound, the musician turns the flute on its side and blows air over the hole. 
• Pitch is created by covering holes in the instrument body with the fingers or by depressing keys. 
• Typically, the flute is employed to perform the melody in music.
• A piccolo flute is a shorter form of the flute. The piccolo is about half the length of a flute and plays the orchestra’s highest notes.
• Personality: Make yourself stand out from the crowd! You get to float over the other instruments’ sounds. 
• You may be drawn to your instrument’s smooth and peaceful tones when practicing at home. 
• If playing music with your friends in school bands or orchestras thrills you, the flute is an excellent choice. 
• About the instrument: A standard flute is little more than 2 feet long (thus the use of a curved head joint by younger pupils) and is played by holding it sideways with both hands and blowing across a hole in the mouthpiece, similar to blowing across the top of a bottle. 
• Your fingers open and close the keys, causing the pitch to alter. The piccolo is the flute’s higher-pitched cousin. 
• Best age to begin: 7 and up

OBOE

• The oboe resembles and is frequently confused with clarinets. The fundamental distinction is in the reed. 
• Oboes are double-reed instruments, which means the mouthpiece has two reeds rather than one. The oboe has a similar musical range to the clarinet, but its tone is smoother and more haunting.
• The oboe plays a vital function in the orchestra. All other instruments are tuned using this instrument. 
• Before the music begins, the oboist will play an A note, and the other musicians will tune their instruments to that pitch.
• The cor anglais, or English horn, is a near-cousin instrument to the oboe. Despite its name, this instrument is not a horn. 
• It resembles the oboe, although it is slightly longer and broader. It also has a bell-shaped bottom that distinguishes it from the oboe. Because of its bigger size, its pitch is slightly lower than the oboe.
• Personality: Are you self-motivated and determined? Was it your favorite part of “Peter and the Wolf” to listen to the oboe and play the duck? 
• The oboe could be the instrument for you! You might be a good fit for the oboe if you are a natural leader. 
• Tenacious oboe students frequently like practicing hard to improve their instrument skills.
• About the instrument: It vibrates when you blow through the oboe’s double reed mouthpiece. Hold the oboe upright, blow through the double reed in your mouth, then press down on the keys with both hands to open and shut the holes, which alters the pitch. 
• The oboe may be played to communicate terrifying sounds to warm, silky, smooth tones, making it incredibly memorable. 
• If you’ve ever been to an orchestral concert, you’ve probably heard the oboe. This instrument is in charge of tuning the ensemble before each performance. 
• Listen for the distinctive A note the oboe plays before the music begins.
• Best age to begin: 7 and up

CLARINET

• Personality: If you enjoy details, are bright, enjoy laughing, and don’t mind a few squeaks on your road to mastering your instrument, the clarinet may be a fantastic option for you! 
• As a clarinet student, you can join your classmates in orchestras or ensembles.
• About the instrument: The clarinet has only one reed. Clarinets exist in various sizes, with the conventional B-flat clarinet measuring slightly over 2 feet long. 
• The clarinet has a dark, rich sound in the bass register, while the top register is bright and resonant. 
• The clarinet is played by holding it upright, blowing through the reed and mouthpiece, and changing the pitches with your fingers by opening and closing the keys.
• Best age to begin: 7 and up.

SAXOPHONE

• The saxophone is a metal-bodied woodwind instrument. It is a single-reed instrument held and played upright, similar to the clarinet.
• It is most commonly heard in jazz and blues music but has also found a home in orchestras. Although their ranges are comparable, saxophones have a loud, almost horn-like sound instead of clarinets’ softer sounds.
• Personality: Saxophonists enjoy getting out there and producing music with their buddies. 
• Musical improvisation is frequently encouraged! This instrument can be used in various social situations, including band, orchestra, and jazz bands.
• About the instrument: Don’t be fooled by its brassy exterior; the saxophone is a woodwind instrument. 
• Saxophones are typically made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to the clarinet. 
• The saxophone is played by blowing through the reed and mouthpiece and playing the keys with your fingers. 
• The saxophone is frequently heard in jazz and mainstream music. Soprano, alto, tenor, and other saxophones are named similarly to chorus parts. 
• Best age to begin: 7 and up

BASSOON

• The bassoon is the final member of the symphonic woodwind family. Bassoons, like other woodwind instruments, are cylindrical wood instruments played by blowing air through a reed on the mouthpiece.
• Bassoons, like the oboe, are double-reed instruments. Bassoons, on the other hand, are substantially larger than other woodwind instruments. 
• The bassoon’s cylinder is doubled over so the performer can play it comfortably. 
• The bassoon mouthpiece is a curving metal extension off the side of the instrument rather than at the top.
• Personality: Do you play the bassoon? The bassoon is an instrument that can be heard in any group.
• About the instrument: The bassoon is a long, doubled-in-half instrument constructed of wood with several keys. 
• The bend in the instrument allows musicians to perform comfortably. The bassoon would be around 9 feet long and impossible to play if it were straight. The bassoon, like the oboe, has a double reed. 
• The bassoon’s range is comparable to that of the stringed instrument cello. It is played by holding the bassoon upright and blowing through the double reed. 
• The air flows down the tube before making a U-turn and exiting at the top. Both fingers play the keys to modify the pitch, just like the oboe. 
• The bassoon is continually in demand, from high school and college to professional orchestras.
• Best age to begin: 9 to 12 and up (depending on hand size)

Uncommon Woodwind Instruments

• Woodwinds are classified by how the sound is created, through moving air through the instrument. 
• Some uncommon woodwind instruments include pipe organs, bagpipes, harmonicas, didgeridoos from Australia, and Irish and Native American flutes.

PETER AND THE WOLF

• In Sergei Prokofiev’s musical fairy tale “Peter and the Wolf,” each character is represented by a different woodwind instrument:
• Bird: Flute
• Flute: The flute is the highest-pitched woodwind instrument. It has a long, cylindrical tube with holes along the side that the player covers and uncovers to produce different notes. The flute has a bright, clear sound often used to play melodies.

• Duck: Oboe
• Oboe: The oboe is a double-reed instrument, which means that it has two reeds that vibrate to produce sound. The oboe has a nasal, quacking sound often used to play solos and melodies.

• Cat: Clarinet
• Clarinet: The clarinet is a single-reed instrument with one reed that vibrates to produce sound. The clarinet has a wide range of dynamics and can play a variety of musical styles, from classical to jazz to pop.

• Grandfather: Bassoon
• Bassoon: The bassoon is the lowest-pitched woodwind instrument. It has a long, conical tube with holes along the side that the player covers and uncovers to produce different notes. The bassoon has a deep, rich sound often used to play bass lines and accompaniment.

• Prokofiev chose these instruments because of their unique timbres and expressive capabilities. 
• The flute’s high, clear notes perfectly capture the bird’s playful nature, while the oboe’s nasal, quacking sound is ideal for the duck. 
• The clarinet’s agile articulation and wide range of dynamics allow it to convey the cat’s sly and mischievous personality. At the same time, the bassoon’s deep, rich sound adds a sense of wisdom and authority to Grandfather’s character.
• Prokofiev’s use of woodwind instruments in “Peter and the Wolf” is a masterstroke of orchestration. 
• He uses each instrument’s unique timbres and expressive capabilities to create vivid and memorable characters. 
• As a result, the audience can quickly identify and connect with each character, even the youngest of listeners.

Woodwind Instruments Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Woodwind Instruments across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Woodwind Instruments. The instruments in this family, which were initially composed entirely of wood, are played by blowing air into the mouthpiece; hence the rather clever term “woodwinds.”

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Woodwind Instruments Facts
2. The Woodwind Family
3. Peter and the Wolf
4. Woodwind Families
5. Parts of a Woodwind
6. Stop, Listen, Bingo!
7. Left and Right
8. Melody Ensemble
9. Musical Composition
10. My Personality Instrument
11. Remodeled

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of woodwind instruments?

The main types of woodwind instruments include the flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone. These instruments produce sound by vibrating a column of air within a tube, typically made of wood or metal.

How do woodwind instruments produce sound?

Woodwind instruments produce sound through the vibration of a reed or the player’s lips. For example, in a clarinet or saxophone, a single or double reed is used. When the player blows air over or through the reed, it vibrates, creating sound waves. In instruments like the flute, sound is produced by the player blowing across the edge of a mouthpiece.

What is the significance of different types of wood in woodwind instruments?

The choice of wood or material in woodwind instruments can significantly impact the instrument’s tone and overall sound. For example, some clarinets are made of African blackwood, while others use materials like plastic or hard rubber. The type of wood or material can affect the instrument’s resonance, durability, and tonal characteristics.

How are woodwind instruments classified into different families?

Woodwind instruments are often classified into two main families: the single reed family and the double reed family. The single reed family includes instruments like the clarinet and saxophone, where a single reed vibrates to produce sound. The double reed family includes instruments like the oboe and bassoon, which use two reeds vibrating against each other to create sound.

How is pitch controlled on woodwind instruments?

Pitch on woodwind instruments is primarily controlled through the player’s manipulation of the instrument’s keys, holes, and, in the case of reed instruments, embouchure. Opening and closing keys or covering and uncovering holes change the length of the vibrating column of air, thereby altering the pitch. The player’s embouchure, or the way they shape their mouth and use facial muscles, also influences pitch and tone quality.

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Link will appear as Woodwind Instruments Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, December 6, 2023