| In any type of music, whether it is jazz, classical, or | | | | the E-flat is smaller in size and has the highest and |
| pop, woodwind instruments often play an important | | | | most piercing sound. An even lower-pitched version of |
| role. These instruments are tubes that are made from | | | | B-flat is the bass clarinet with a long tube curling up at |
| wood or metal. Sound is produced when the players | | | | the bottom. The contra-bass is even bigger with a |
| blow through them either by a reed, or resonance. | | | | metal tube and is pitched even lower. |
| When it comes to learning to play an instrument, | | | | Saxophone |
| woodwind instruments are generally easier to learn | | | | Just like the clarinet, the saxophone also produces a |
| than brass and this is why many people prefer to | | | | sound with a single reed, however, the body is made |
| choose them. However, there are different types of | | | | of brass and its shape is conical. If you like concert |
| woodwind instruments and choosing which one to | | | | bands and large jazz bands, then saxophone is the |
| learn is another difficult decision. | | | | right instrument for you. Another thing that makes it |
| The Flute | | | | quite popular is that its key system is quite modern and |
| Modern flutes are not usually made of wood, instead | | | | easier to play. It has rollers that help the small fingers |
| they are made of metal because it helps in making the | | | | move around. Due to the ease in playing, improvising |
| sound of the instrument louder in a big hall. Flutes come | | | | with this instrument is easier. |
| in different sizes and the smallest one is the piccolo. It | | | | Oboe |
| has a high and shrill sound. The next in size is the flute | | | | The oboe is a double-reed instrument and is often |
| which is what most people prefer to learn. The alto | | | | used in classical compositions. The reeds in the oboe |
| flute is lower in pitch than the flute and is also bigger in | | | | are tied together and therefore vibrate against one |
| size. The bass flute is the longest and requires much | | | | another rather than against the mouthpiece as with a |
| more air than the others of the flute family. Flutes | | | | clarinet. The English horn (or cor anglais) is an |
| require a lot of breath control from the player. They | | | | alternative to the oboe and has a deep, soulful, and |
| need to be able to hold a lot of air in their lungs and | | | | mellow sound. |
| they also should know how to control the air from | | | | Oboe is considered to be one of the harder woodwind |
| escaping. Flutes have been popular in jazz and prog | | | | instruments to master. |
| rock (e.g. Jethro Tull), but their main use is in orchestras. | | | | Bassoon |
| Clarinet | | | | Like the oboe, a bassoon also has a double reed with |
| The clarinet is a popular instrument commonly used in | | | | a conical tube. The tube is about four times longer than |
| jazz and classical music. It has a small, rectangular | | | | the tube of the oboe and its double reed is also bigger. |
| piece of cane which is called a reed. This reed is | | | | It has a rich and mellow low range and warm high |
| attached to the mouthpiece and when air is blown into | | | | notes. The contra-bassoon is larger in size and |
| the mouthpiece, this reed vibrates against the | | | | produces lower notes. These instruments are rarely |
| mouthpiece and sound is created. They are mostly | | | | heard in solos in orchestras, but play an important part. |
| made of the wood, grenadilla. The B-flat and the E-flat | | | | The woodwind instrument that you chose to learn will |
| clarinet are the most popular. Concert players will | | | | depend on the kind of music you prefer. Some of |
| have a B-flat and A clarinet because the complex | | | | these instruments are harder to learn compared to |
| fingering makes some passages in different keys too | | | | others. So, choose your woodwind instrument based |
| difficult on one or the other instrument. The notes | | | | on the kind of music you like to play because then you |
| produced by B-flat types are loud and clear, whereas | | | | will play more and be willing to put in the commitment |
| the low notes are soft and mellow. On the other hand, | | | | required to master it. |