| A woodwind musical instrument is a musical | | | | one contrabassoon. |
| device that has a resonator. Using a mouthpiece, | | | | A bassoon can cost upwards of $3000 and is |
| air is blown over the resonator which creates a | | | | typically made from ABS plastic, however there |
| sound. It is the both the length and direction that | | | | are some new models made from hard rubber |
| air takes through the instrument that determines | | | | and professional models made from Maple. Wood |
| the pitch of the vibration and therefore the sound | | | | offers the best acoustics and the rubber made |
| made. The shape of the woodwind instruments as | | | | bassoons can be quite heavy. |
| well as the finger holes in its body can be fairly | | | | A flute typically costs $350 and is made from |
| complex, both have an effect on the quality of | | | | nickel-silver, then plated in silver. Nickel-silver is a |
| sound produced. Common shapes of air columns | | | | combination of brass with nickel and is stronger |
| include - conical, cylinder etc. | | | | than just brass or silver. A flute has a silver look |
| Woodwind musical instruments can be divided into | | | | when polished, hence its name. |
| 2 categories | | | | A saxophone typically costs around $1000 and is |
| - Brass Instruments - made primarily of metal | | | | generally made from brass. The better |
| - Woodwind Instruments - made primarily from | | | | saxophones often have a 'ribbing' on the body. |
| wood | | | | These extra plates of brass provide structural |
| The more well known and used woodwind musical | | | | support for the multiple posts that are attached |
| instruments are as follows | | | | to the body. |
| Bassoon, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophones | | | | A clarinet typically costs $350 whereas an oboe |
| The bassoon, clarinet, oboe and saxophone use a | | | | you can expect to pay about $1400. For the |
| mouthpiece whereas the flute uses what is called | | | | cheaper models of both clarinet and oboe, their |
| a headjoint as the method of introducing air to | | | | bodies are usually made of ABS plastic, whereas |
| the instrument. Together with the musician's | | | | the more expensive instruments are made of |
| personal physical abilities, the mouthpiece/headjoint | | | | Grenadilla wood. |
| have the greatest impact on the quality of the | | | | A smaller version of the flute is called the piccolo |
| sound. | | | | and is played in the same manner as a flute. The |
| Unlike the string instruments or some percussion | | | | piccolo is so designed that it is pitched an octave |
| instruments, most wind instruments don't require | | | | above the standard flute and has a range of |
| tuning. Only the more complex wind instruments | | | | nearly three octaves, reaching the highest pitches |
| may require adjustment of the keys. | | | | of a modern orchestra. It is usually used for |
| Of the well known woodwind musical instruments, | | | | special effects in an orchestra. |
| the flute and clarinet tend to cost the least | | | | If purchasing a new musical instrument, your local |
| because they are the most popular and are made | | | | trusted retailer will help to guide you in making a |
| in greater quantities | | | | good choice from available makes and models. |
| Of interest, the woodwind section of a band or | | | | Once purchased, always have the instrument |
| orchestra usually consists of three flutes, one | | | | serviced after a 3 month period, just to make |
| piccolo, three oboes, one English horn, three | | | | sure it operates the way it should for long term |
| clarinets, one bass clarinet, three bassoons and | | | | use. |