Woodwind

Woodwind Instruments

Woodwind instruments use airflow as their primary means of sound generation, which is why, along with the brass family, they are called aerophones. It is assumed that within aerophones, the main difference that allows us to distinguish them is the material of their composition. However, this is not always a reliable reference since some woodwind instruments are currently composed of a large amount of metal or plastic (although in the origins of woodwinds, all were made of wood). Thus, we must analyze the sound to differentiate them more clearly.

Characteristics of Woodwind Instruments

Now then... what features do all woodwind instruments share?

• They generate sound through the vibration of air inside the instrument's main body or tube.

• The greatest vibration will occur in the mouthpiece.

• They can be played by blowing through a hole, in some cases, or through a reed, in others.

• Alternating the opening or closing of holes affects the tone, making it higher or lower.

• The sound is very distinctive; in some way, it is much closer to the human voice than other musical instruments.

• They are full of holes, keys, springs, and levers (the latter three only in some cases).

How Woodwinds Work

As we said, the process begins with the musician's blowing, and their skill or experience will largely determine the quality of the final sound. The technique and agility they possess to use and combine the different holes will also be crucial. In many cases, proper preparation before starting to play (such as assembling certain parts of the instrument) will also be necessary. It should be noted that the dimension of the tube will also affect the pitch of the sound.

How Do They Sound and Where Can We Find Them?

Regarding the sound of woodwinds, although it is subjective and particular to each of the instruments that make up this musical family, they tend to be very melodic. They are characterized by the ease of creating notes quickly and very distinctive effects (with the appropriate skill of the musician). The soft and sweet sound, which draws the listener towards musical warmth, defines these instruments very well.

We can commonly find them in symphony orchestras, band music, jazz, traditional music, etc., depending on each specific instrument.

Types of Woodwinds

A correct way to classify woodwind instruments is based on the type of embouchure each one uses:

• Beveled instruments:

· With a conduit: Transverse flute, piccolo, pan flute...

· Without a conduit: Recorder, ocarina…

• Reed instruments:

· Single: Clarinet, saxophone...

· Double: Oboe, English horn, bassoon, dulzaina...

· Free: Harmonica, accordion

Following a hierarchy from low to high tones, the bassoon, clarinet, oboe, and transverse flute are arguably the quintessential woodwind instruments. On the other hand, for each of these "model" instruments, we can find various versions: such as the piccolo flute with respect to the transverse flute, the English horn with respect to the oboe, the different types of clarinets that exist (contrabass, alto...) or the contrabassoon in reference to the bassoon itself.

Woodwind Instruments at NEOmúsica

• CLARINET

• BASSOON

• TRANSVERSE FLUTE

• PICCOLO

• OBOE

• SAXOPHONE

Still undecided?

Don't worry, choosing a woodwind instrument is not an easy decision. There is a lot of variety of instruments within the woodwind family, not to mention the different types, brands, sizes… Do not hesitate to contact us, and we will put one of our experts and woodwind musicians at your disposal so they can help you buy the most suitable instrument for you.

Why buy woodwind instruments at NEOmúsica?

At NEOmúsica, we have been selling musical instruments for over 6 years. We are very careful and thorough in everything we do (like any good musician). We are committed to offering only products that meet our customers' expectations of quality, price, warranty, and design.

We have a huge repertoire of brands, products, and accessories, so you can always find what you are looking for. In addition, we only work with trusted suppliers and have a technical team made up of professional musicians and teachers who know the products they sell very well.

As you can see, buying woodwind instruments in our online musical instrument store is very easy. Even so, if you want to personally try one of our test products, do not hesitate to visit our music store in Buñol. We look forward to seeing you!