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Whether you're getting started, want a higher-quality instrument, or are looking to upgrade from a band or orchestral rental, Alamo Music Center covers all woodwinds. Find Woodwind Instruments at Alamo Music Center The contrabassoon, in a larger, doubled-over form, accesses an even lower pitch range. As its differentiating factor, the bassoon is nine feet long, has a straight, upright shape the player supports with their lap, and has a curved metal mouthpiece that extends away from the instrument. The "bass" of the woodwind family, the bassoon uses a construction similar to the oboe: a double-reed mouthpiece and a body made of wood and metal. Today, you'll spot most players using an alto or tenor sax. A feature differentiating it from other winds, saxophones have two octave key vents, which allow the instrument by itself to access a higher pitch range. In general, this instrument's conical shape curves and flares out into a bell the exception is the soprano sax, which is designed more like a clarinet. Just as with clarinets, saxophones come in multiple sizes - soprano, alto, tenor and bass - to reach different ranges of pitches. The saxophone's invention came considerably later than other woodwinds: Supposedly, in the mid-19th century, Antoine-Joseph Sax attached a single-reed mouthpiece to a brass instrument. You'll occasionally spot a saxophone in classical music, but it's primarily included in marching bands, jazz, pop and big-band. The bass clarinet, a significantly larger instrument that the player supports on the ground, curves before flaring out into a bell and reaches the lower end of the clarinet section's range. The E-flat clarinet is smaller and reaches a higher note range. Typically, a traditional clarinet - also referred to as a B-flat clarinet based on transposition - is about two feet in length. This woodwind instrument, in general, features a single reed and bell-shaped end and delivers a warm sound that's used for both melodies and harmonies. ClarinetĬlarinets seamlessly move between classical and jazz, but within an orchestral context, more than one type of clarinet exists. As its distinguishing features, English horns tend to be longer and slightly wider and feature a rounded bell at the end. While not identical to the oboe, its design and operation are similar. Within the orchestra's oboe section, one player may bring out an English horn. Pitch wise, the oboe is lower than the flute and generates a more mellow sound. The vibrations from the reed direct the sound, causing the body to vibrate, and the player then uses the various keys and holes along its length. While also roughly two feet long, the oboe is a double-reed instrument made of wood and metal. Related to the flute is the piccolo, essentially a shorter version of the instrument that plays the highest pitches in an orchestra's wind section. Unlike with other woodwinds, flute players hold the instrument to the size and blow into an open mouthpiece. Silver, platinum or gold is used for modern-day versions, and traditionally, it measures about two feet long - although alto flutes, more common in jazz, are wider and longer. The flute is considered one of the oldest pitched instruments, with predecessors made from wood, bamboo and even stone. These instruments are also essential to the sound of a marching band and are used throughout jazz and other popular styles. Today's orchestra typically has multiple flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons, in addition to a piccolo, English horn and even a saxophone on occasion. Oboists and bassoonists, meanwhile, use a double-reed mouthpiece, in which two narrow pieces of wood are bound together. A single reed, usually made of wood, is used by clarinet and saxophone players. With the exception of the flute and piccolo, woodwinds require a reed to produce a sound.
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As the player directs air through the reed, the wooden or metal tube vibrates. The player then blows into the instrument and, by pressing on keys or covering the holes, generates various pitches. Most, but not all, use a single or double reed as a mouthpiece. Holes, sometimes with keys on top, help the player render specific pitches. The modern woodwind instrument features a cylindrical design that's either straight or curved in some form. Most originated as a wood instrument the player blew through, utilizing a hole or reed. Today's woodwind family utilizes several materials: wood for instruments like the clarinet, bassoon and oboe and metals for the flute and saxophone.