Woodwind Family (Junior Cert Music): Revision Notes

Woodwind Family

What is the Woodwind Family?

• The woodwind family is a group of instruments in the orchestra that were originally made of wood.
• Today, some woodwind instruments are made of metal or plastic, but they still belong to the woodwind family because of the way they produce sound.

How Do Woodwind Instruments Make Sound?

• Air is blown into or across the mouthpiece.
• Most woodwind instruments have a reed, which vibrates when air passes through it.
• Keys and holes on the instrument change the pitch.

Where is the Woodwind Section in the Orchestra?

• The woodwind family sits in the middle of the orchestra, between the strings and brass sections.
• The instruments are arranged from highest to lowest pitch.

Types of Woodwind Instruments

There are two main types of woodwind instruments:

1. Flute family (no reed)
2. Reed instruments

1. Flute Family (No Reed)

• Flute – A high-pitched instrument made of metal, played by blowing across a hole in the mouthpiece.
• Piccolo – A smaller flute that plays an octave higher than the flute and has a bright, piercing sound.

2. Reed Instruments (Use a Reed)

These instruments use a thin piece of cane called a reed, which vibrates to create sound.

• Single-Reed Instruments
  • Clarinet – Has a warm, smooth sound and can play a large range of notes.
  • Bass Clarinet – A larger version of the clarinet with a lower, deeper sound.
  • Saxophone (sometimes included) – Uses a single reed and is mostly used in jazz, marching band and pop music.
• Double-Reed Instruments
  • Oboe – A bright-sounding instrument with a double reed (two pieces of reed tied together).
  • Cor Anglais (English Horn) – A larger oboe with a softer, lower sound.
  • Bassoon – A large, low-pitched instrument with a deep, warm sound.
  • Contrabassoon – An even larger version of the bassoon that plays the lowest notes of the woodwind family.

The Role of the Woodwind Family in the Orchestra

• Plays melodies and harmonies – Woodwind instruments can play solo parts and blend with other instruments.
• Adds different moods and colours – The flute sounds light and airy, while the bassoon can sound deep and dark.
• Supports other sections – The clarinet and oboe often play counter-melodies or harmonies with the strings.

Famous Composers Who Used Woodwinds

• Claude Debussy – Wrote Syrinx for solo flute.
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Featured clarinets in Clarinet Concerto in A Major.
• Igor Stravinsky – Used the bassoon for the famous opening of The Rite of Spring.