TheOrchestra-Woodwinds

media type="custom" key="13086648" **Woodwind Family** media type="youtube" key="KEt1Mm8sSkA?rel=0" height="360" width="640" align="center"

__Woodwind Instruments__ are instruments that make sound when you blow against or across a mouthpiece. Most woodwinds have small pieces of wood (called REEDS) on the mouthpieces that vibrate to create sound. All woodwinds have buttons called keys and some have wholes that you cover to change the pitch (like the Recorder). Woodwinds get their name from the fact that the instruments had wood on them or are/were made of wood. The wind part of the name comes from the fact you blow into the instruments to create the sound.

** Flute and Piccolo **

They are made of metal, however, the Flute was originally made of woood. Neither the Flute nor the Piccolo use reeds. A player blows across the tone hole to make a sound. The Piccolo is the Flute's much higher cousin. Both have very high pitches. Their timbres are airy, shrill, bright, clear, and clean. media type="youtube" key="Wsr0GfLu0NA?rel=0" height="315" width="350" media type="youtube" key="59ZX5qdIEB0?rel=0" height="315" width="350" media type="youtube" key="cdcn6XP1N6A?rel=0" height="315" width="350"

** Oboe and ** ** English Horn **

The Oboe is the third highest Woodwind in the orchestra. Both Oboes and English Horns are usually made of wood (sometimes plastic). Both instruments use Double Reeds. The reeds also act as mouthpieces. Both instruments are relatively higher in pitch. Both have a nasal, whining, pinched timbre. media type="youtube" key="aenhhPA75Mc?rel=0" height="315" width="350" align="center" media type="youtube" key="STZZ43RJ4dA?rel=0" height="315" width="350" align="center" media type="youtube" key="_TIP8swMSi8?rel=0" height="315" width="350"

** Clarinet **

The Clarinet is a middle voice in the Woodwind section. It is often made of wood, but, student versions are made out of plastic. The Clarinet uses a single reed to create the sound. The single reed is attached to the mouthpiece where the player blows into the instrument. The Bb Clarinet is related to the lower Bass Clarinets and Contra-Bass Clarinets. The timbre is dark, hollow, and warm. media type="youtube" key="5PRRzXBwXTY?rel=0" height="315" width="350" align="center" media type="youtube" key="OMOi5vtxCbA?rel=0" height="315" width="350" align="center"

**Bass Clarinet**

The Bass Clarinet is usually made of wood with a metal bell and neck. The Bass Clarinet uses a single reed and a mouth piece. It is often confused for a Saxophone, because of the similar shape. It is a very low sounding instrument with a distinct timbre. The timbre is very dark, raspy, even croaky. media type="youtube" key="OzbFM1Zef54?rel=0" height="315" width="350" media type="youtube" key="hZuJRYjlLA4?rel=0" height="315" width="350" media type="youtube" key="X50vQ1-1Z3g?rel=0" height="315" width="350"

**Bassoon****and Contrabasson**

The Basson and Contrabasson are the lowest Woodwind voices. Both instrument use a double reed and do not have mouthpiece. Both instruments are made out of mostly wood. The timbre of these instruments is pinched, rounded, laugh-like, buzzy, raspy. media type="youtube" key="Y1VtGAGmmbE?rel=0" height="315" width="350" media type="youtube" key="CZ1Nz3UOOas?rel=0" height="315" width="350" media type="youtube" key="mpxH_sNmTtk?rel=0" height="315" width="350" media type="youtube" key="qbFe8_Ucohk?rel=0" height="315" width="350"