Lesson 13 - Woodwind Instruments of the Orchestra Flashcards
Range of flute
Middle C to 8va C above the stave
What is the general order of instruments on an orchestral score?
Flutes Oboes Clarinets Bassoons Horns Trumpets Timpani Violins Violas Celli Double basses
Range of oboe
B flat below stave to high G above stave
Range of clarinet
E below stave to 8va C above stave
Range of bassoon
B flat below bass stave to D on treble stave
How is sound produced in woodwind instruments?
By blowing air into a hollow pipe
How is pitch altered?
Fingers or keys are used to cover holes which change the length of the pipe. The shorter the pipe (less holes covered) the higher the pitch
Describe the flute
Flute os cylindrical and held horizontally. The player blows through a mouth-bole which is along the side of the pipe. The flute is the only woodwind with no reed. The tone is velvety in the lower register, clear and pure in the middle, and brilliant at the top. The flute is very agile. It can be heard often above the strings in orchestr adding an extra layer of sound. Overblowing produces an octave higher note
Describe the oboe
Oboe is conical and held vertically. It has a double reed held by a staple at the top of the pipe. The players lips close around the top of the reed. The oboe is descended from the Shawm. Its tone is distinctive and penetrating, especially good for sad and haunting melodies. It plays the A for the orchestra to tune
Describe the clarinet
Clarinet is cylindrical and held vertically. It has a single reed clamped to the mouthpiece which is like a beak at the top of the pipe. It has the widest range, most expressive, can play ppp to fff. Earliest kind of clarinet was the Chalumeau. This is now the lowest part of the register which is dark and eerie. The middle register is rich and mellow, and the high is bright and piercing. Clarinet is versatile, suited to jazz an classics. The break is where the register key is applied to raise the register. Clarinet overblows to the twelfth.
Different sizes of clarinet…
Most clarinets are either B flat clarinets (for flat keys) or A clarinets (for sharp keys). Clarinet is the only transposing instrument of the woodwinds in the orchestra. Its music is written at a different pitch from the actual sounds. B flat clarinet music is written a tone higher than it sounds, A clarinet music is written a minor third higher than it sounds
Describe the basson
Basson is conical and held across the body. It is supported by a cord around the player’s neck or a spike on the floor. Doubled up, it looks like a bunch or faggot of sticks, so is called fagotto (Italian for bundle)
