Flute
• One of the oldest and most widely used wind instruments
• Highest pitched instrument of the woodwind family
• Replaced the recorder in the orchestra due to its brighter tone and increased power
• Several flutes in common use: C flute, piccolo, alto flute and bass flute​
Hear it Solo:​
Hear it in the Orchestra:​
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e91447_50679fa6365369cc1a24a04eca35f69e.jpg/v1/fill/w_260,h_135,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/e91447_50679fa6365369cc1a24a04eca35f69e.jpg)
Oboe
• Uses a double reed to produce sound
• Used in orchestras for about 400 years - occupies the alto register of the woodwind family
• Its larger relative is cor anglais (english horn)
• Produces a beautiful, sweet and haunting sound​
Hear it Solo:​
Hear it in the Orchestra:​
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e91447_6fb6f3795bf3135d65251950bf7b9a06.jpg/v1/fill/w_170,h_148,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/e91447_6fb6f3795bf3135d65251950bf7b9a06.jpg)
Clarinet
• Uses a single reed to produce sound
• Warm and resonant on the low notes - bright and clear on the high register
• Associated with jazz and swing music
• Different types - from high pitched sopranino to low contrabass clarinet​
Hear it Solo:​
Hear it in the Orchestra:​
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e91447_065b1376cb50d18846a35bf520c085dd.jpg/v1/fill/w_240,h_130,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/e91447_065b1376cb50d18846a35bf520c085dd.jpg)
Bassoon
• Lowest sounding member of the woodwind family
• Also uses a double reed to produce sound
• Can be very expressive and has a slightly buzzing quality in the lower notes
• Contrabassoon sounds an octave lower than the bassoon​
Hear it Solo:​
Hear it in the Orchestra:​
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e91447_d7442ac65cebaf42d3c811cc846d9024.jpg/v1/fill/w_141,h_141,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/e91447_d7442ac65cebaf42d3c811cc846d9024.jpg)
Saxophone​
• Used in all kinds of music, from classical to pop, though best known in jazz.
• Though made out of brass, it’s considered a woodwind because of the use of a single reed.
• Produces a wonderful and incredibly varied sound
• Most widely used saxophones are: soprano, alto, tenor and baritone.​
Hear it Solo:​
Hear it in the Orchestra:​
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e91447_c7b93e22b9ff02ea6f7641d9b94de325.jpg/v1/fill/w_144,h_144,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/e91447_c7b93e22b9ff02ea6f7641d9b94de325.jpg)