Music, similar to the gentle rustle of leaves in a forest or the playful whisper of the wind, has the power to evoke emotions and take us to different dimensions.
The woodwind family holds a special place among the diverse array of musical instruments that contribute to this symphony of sounds. The most common woodwind family instruments are the flute, piccolo, recorder, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon.
Each of these instruments has several variations based on size and range. What makes each of them unique, and what sets woodwinds apart from other types of musical instruments in Australia?
Usually most of the music enthusiasts and novices start with the flute, clarinet, saxophone, and sometimes the oboe.
Read on to learn about each of the woodwind instruments and to find out if the woodwind family is the right choice for you!
The woodwind family is a subset of wind instruments. It has two main types of instruments: reed instruments and flutes.
Reed woodwind instruments are named “woodwind” because of the way they produce sound by splitting the player’s air stream on a sharp edge, like a reed.
Some people mistakenly think that woodwind family instruments are exclusively made of wood, but they can be made of various materials such as brass, cane, silver, gold, or platinum.
Woodwind instruments in Melbourne, Australia are widely popular among beginner and professional players as well as hobbyists. Many young musicians start their musical careers with a woodwind instrument and go on to play several instruments within the family.
You can hear woodwind instruments in various types of music, including classical and orchestral pieces, jazz, blues, rock & roll, and many other genres.
Moreover, did you that that Australia has a rich culture of traditional musical instruments that are not well-known to individuals.
Checkout these top 6 Australian musical instruments you should know.
Have you ever wondered how musical instruments are arranged together? There are five types of musical instruments, one of which is woodwind. Click here to know about the 5 different types of musical instruments
Moreover, the woodwind family of instruments has 6 main instruments. These includes:
Ideal age to start: 7 and above
Flutes are the oldest known musical instruments to produce pitched sounds. Initially crafted from wood, clay or reeds, they are now commonly made of silver, gold or platinum.
To play the flute, hold it sideways with both hands and blow across a hole in the mouthpiece, similar to blowing across the top of a bottle. The pitch changes as the player's fingers open and closes the keys. Flutes usually play the melodic parts of a composition.
Piccolos are similar to flutes but half their size. They are played in the same manner, and flute players often learn both instruments. Piccolos have the highest range of any woodwind instrument, and their high-pitched sound is often heard in marching bands or drum corps, as well as in some orchestral pieces.
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Ideal age to start: 7 and above
The clarinet is a woodwind musical instrument that belongs to the single-reed family, using only one reed, which is attached to the horn by a ligature, to produce sound.
There are different sizes of clarinets available, and the most common one is the Bb clarinet, which measures over 2 feet long. With its ability to play both melodies and harmonies, the clarinet produces a deep, rich sound in its lower notes and a bright, resonant tone in the upper range.
To play the clarinet, you hold it upright, blow through the mouthpiece and reed, and use your hands to change the pitches by opening and closing the keys with your fingers.
The clarinet is primarily an orchestral instrument, but it also serves as a solo instrument in jazz and other musical genres. Since the clarinet shares many similarities in fingering and mouth technique (embouchure) with the saxophone, many sax players also play clarinet.
Right age to begin: 8 and above
The saxophone, which is a single-reed woodwind musical instrument, is relatively new as it was invented only 150 years ago. It is an important instrument in jazz and blues styles of music and has also been incorporated into classical works.
Saxophones come in varying sizes and pitches ranging from soprano to contrabass. Although alto and tenor are the most popular types, learning to play one saxophone will enable you to learn how to play all of them. The saxophone is played in the same way as the clarinet.
A saxophone not only makes a fantastic sound, but it also improves the atmosphere of the entire room. Checkout which are the best saxophones for beginners to buy in Australia.
Perfect age to start: 9 to 12 and above (depending on hand size)
The bassoon is the largest member of the woodwind family, with the lowest pitch, similar to that of the cello. It is a long pipe made of wood, doubled in half, which has many keys.
The bend in the pipe makes it possible for musicians to play it comfortably. If it were straight, the bassoon would be around 8 feet long! Bassoons usually provide lower harmonies, but occasionally feature hollow low notes in a melody.
Right age to begin: 8 and above
The oboe is another popular woodwind musical instruments that measures about 2 feet in length.
It is a black cylindrical tube with metal keys covering its holes, and its mouthpiece uses a double reed that vibrates when air is blown through it. This vibration of the reed causes the air inside the oboe to move, producing sound.
To play the oboe, one must hold it upright, blow through the double reed in the mouthpiece, and use both hands to press down on the keys to open and close the holes to change the pitch.
In an orchestra, there are usually 2 to 4 oboes that produce a wide range of pitches, from haunting sounds to warm, velvety smooth notes. The first oboist is responsible for tuning the orchestra before each concert by playing a special note "A".
Ideal age to start: 6 and above
Despite its name, the English horn is not English and is not a horn. It is a musical instrument that is closely related to the oboe, and uses a double reed, played in a similar manner. However, it is longer than an oboe and has a wider tube.
At the bottom end of the English horn, it opens up into a rounded bell shape, which gives it a warmer and fuller sound. Additionally, due to its larger size, the English horn has a lower pitch range than an oboe. If required, an oboe player may also play the English horn.
Musical instruments have been an integral element of Australian culture since ancient times, serving largely for entertainment, dancing, and medical purposes.
Want to know about their significance? Click here to know the complete list of all musical instruments with names & types
Playing woodwind instruments like the flute, clarinet, saxophone, and oboe offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond just creating beautiful music.
Here are some of the benefits of picking up a woodwind instrument: -
Playing a wind instrument has numerous benefits, including improving your breathing. As you play, your inhalation and exhalation are enhanced, which leads to opening up your lungs.
This respiratory workout strengthens your lung health, as you are able to use your lungs to their full capacity. Playing a wind instrument also makes you more aware of your breathing, encouraging you to improve it to produce better music.
In addition to improving your breathing, playing a wind instrument also exercises your muscles with each breath you take.
Since these instruments require you to breathe harder, they put pressure on your abdomen, which works out your muscles. Practicing an instrument for a couple of hours daily can replace the need to go to the gym.
Learning a woodwind instrument challenges your brain in many ways. Reading sheet music strengthens your sight-reading skills and mental focus.
Additionally, you develop better hand-eye coordination as you translate musical notation into finger movements. Studies have shown that musical training can improve cognitive function, memory, and problem-solving abilities.
Learning any instrument takes time, dedication, and practice. Sticking with your woodwind instrument instils discipline and perseverance.
As you master new techniques and pieces, your confidence and self-esteem grow along with your musical skills.
The woodwind family is a fascinating introduction to the world of music. Each instrument in this family has its own unique character.
Woodwinds produce sound by vibrating a column of air within the instrument, which results in a range of tones. Whether you are interested in the soothing sound of the flute or the depth of the bassoon, there are plenty of options to choose from.
If you are in Australia and considering trying a woodwind family instrument, InstruShare is an ideal solution. As the popular woodwind instruments online store in Australia, we offer a wide variety of woodwinds, as well as brass, percussion, and other instruments. You can explore the musical world from your own space by visiting our user-friendly online platform.
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