Woodwind

The woodwind are the stars of the orchestra. Their job is to be soloists and add colour to the orchestral sound and they have every chance to show off. They are essential in wind bands too so if you play a woodwind instrument you should always be able to find a group to play in. Some are used in folk, jazz and rock, and all have vast resources of chamber music available to them.

The prices quoted in the factsheets are for what teachers consider to be good quality instruments. You may be able to buy for less, but you may not be able to play what you buy! The starting ages quoted are the general consensus among teachers, but views do vary and the size and development of the pupil may also influence this decision.

Flute

The FLUTE is the highest of the woodwind family, and has a bright sound which flies over the top of the orchestra. It can play all forms of popular music, often being amplified. Orchestral players may also play the piccolo, which is very small and shrill, but this is not an instrument to start on. The flute does have a small cousin called the fife which can be an excellent way to start for young pupils with small hands. Fifes are very cheap and may be learned in large classes.

Oboe

The OBOE has a beautiful reedy sound, mysterious and elegant at the same time. This is a tricky instrument which uses a double reed and requires plenty of air pressure and dedicated practice. The rewards are great as it can produce the most beautiful delicate sound, and yet can also be heard in the midst of a full 80 piece orchestra. The oboe has a larger cousin called the cor Anglais (English horn) which has a more mellow sound and is often given orchestral solos, but this is not an instrument for the beginner. Oboes are rarely used in the fields of popular music (other than in orchestral backings), but the classical repertoire is so large that you will never get bored.

Clarinet

The CLARINET is the most versatile instrument in the woodwind family with the biggest range in terms of both pitch and volume, from mellow low notes, through the creamy upper register, to screaming high notes. Not only does it play the classical repertoire, it forms the nucleus of the wind band and is one of the foremost jazz instruments. Learning the clarinet is also the most usual preparation for learning the saxophone, and if you play the clarinet to a good standard you should have no difficulty in doubling on saxophone, providing you are prepared to practice!

Bassoon

The BASSOON is the deep jolly one! It has a woody sound and a range of moods from comical low notes to a beautiful upper register that sounds more like a flute. It is a little complicated and also rather expensive, but it is also particularly rewarding as you are frequently a soloist in the orchestra and there are plenty of wonderful chamber works to perform. This is an excellent instrument to try if you are a late starter. A wide hand stretch is an advantage.

Saxophone

The SAXOPHONE was invented (by Adolph Sax) to be a bridge between the woodwind and brass sections of a military band, with the agility of the woodwind and the power of the brass. The saxophone is very popular in the fields of rock and jazz and has a wonderful role to play in wind bands, but there are fewer places available to play. Most wind teachers recommend that you learn one of the other instruments first before coming to the saxophone.

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