Woodwind
With these instruments, the sound is made by blowing air either into or across it the mouthpiece and you put your fingers over holes or ‘keys’ to change the notes. These instruments used to be all made of wood, hence the name. Today, however they are made of wood, metal, plastic or some combination.
They are all basically made of pipes, with holes, an opening at the bottom end and a mouthpiece at the top. The mouthpieces for some woodwinds, including the clarinet, oboe, saxophone and bassoon, use a thin piece of wood called a reed, which vibrates when you blow across it. Just as with the stringed instruments, the smaller woodwinds play higher pitches while the longer and larger instruments play the lower notes. The woodwind family includes:
- Piccolo
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Bassoon
- Saxophone
Breathing problems? Don’t worry – playing a wind instrument will often help you to control your breathing!
We teach woodwind instruments in schools across the borough and at Bexley Music. To find out more email info@bexley-music.co.uk or click here to make an application.