The Woodwind family contains a number of very diverse instruments. Unlike string instruments, they cannot be sized to the player, but they do come in all different shapes and sizes. The trait that characterizes woodwind instruments is that they are all long tubes with holes along the sides to change the pitch. On some string instruments, the holes are covered directly, and on others keys are used to cover the holes. Most woodwind instruments today combine those two techniques. As a Unit 4 student, you might already be familiar with one woodwind instrument, the recorder. Although the recorder is a good precursor to all instruments, as a fifth grader, you now get to "graduate" to instruments that lend themselves to large ensemble playing. The woodwind instruments offered to beginners in Unit 4 are the Flute, the Oboe, the Clarinet, and the Alto Saxophone.
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Woodwinds can play in Chamber Ensembles.This chamber ensemble, the Imani Winds, is a woodwind quintet. It includes one Flute, one Oboe, one Clarinet, one Bassoon, and even a brass instrument, the French Horn. Chamber ensembles come in all shapes and sizes, usually anywhere from two or three to a dozen musicians.
Although more well-known groups may play for larger audiences today, Chamber Ensemble music was originally written for parties and other gatherings in the home. Often a few friends might get together to play music for their own entertainment and fulfillment. |
Woodwinds Can Play in Concert Bands.Wood winds begin their band experience in a concert band setting. Concert bands can have anywhere from 25 to 100 musicians, and they typically perform in larger concerts. They play a wide range of music, including transcriptions of historical orchestral literature, traditional band literature, popular music, and even avant-garde modern music.
The band you see here is called the President's Own, the most competitive military ensemble in America. They were once conducted by composer John Philip Sousa, the "March King." Here, they are playing America's National March, "The Stars and Stripes Forever." |
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Woodwinds can play in Marching Bands.The Marching Illini perform before and throughout every home football game at Memorial Stadium. They also travel with the team to the occasional away game or Bowl opportunity. Smaller groups of Marching Illini members also perform throughout the tailgates and at volleyball games in the fall.
Typically marching bands include flutes, clarinets, and saxophones as their woodwind family. The Marching Illini uses piccolos instead of flutes. Often students who play oboe or bassoon will learn another woodwind instrument when they get into high school so that they can participate in a marching band. |
Woodwinds can play in Jazz EnsemblesAlthough there are several types of Jazz Ensembles, the most common in middle and high schools is called a "Big Band." A standard Big Band woodwind section consists of two Alto Saxophones, two Tenor Saxophones, and one Baritone Saxophone. Musicians in the Saxophone section often double on other instruments, such as the Flute or Clarinet, as songs require.
This Big Band is playing a #1 hit from the 1940's that you might be familiar with. This is "In the Mood," made famous by the Glenn Miller Band. |
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Woodwinds can play in Symphony Orchestras.A symphony orchestra might include any combination of piccolos flutes, clarinets, oboes, English horns, and bassoons. Since Orchestral Music covers a rather large time span, the instrumentation that composers used was often affected by the availability of instruments and even personal preference.
Typically wind players who play with a Symphony Orchestra play their own unique part, and they are each considered soloists. This is different from the strings, where a whole section might be playing the same part, or concert band, where a few people might be playing the same part. |