Identifying Instruments of the Woodwind Family

Learning Aims Aim: To be able to identify instruments of the woodwind family. Aim High: To be able to understand the different properties between the instruments of the woodwind family. Aim Higher: To be able to identify the different instruments of the woodwind family by their timbre.

Who am I?

I am the smallest instrument in the string family. ViolinCelloHarp

I am larger than a violin, but smaller than a cello. ViolaDouble Bass

I am smaller than a double bass but use the bass clef. ViolinCelloViola

I am the only string instrument with more than four strings. ViolinDouble BassHarp

I am the largest instrument in the string family. HarpDouble BassCello

How many instruments can you name? Woodwind Family

Clarinet The clarinet is played using a single reed, inserted into the back of the mouthpiece. A sound is created by blowing air between the mouthpiece and the reed. Clarinets create a mellow sound. Clarinets can change pitch by pressing down the various keys.

Bass Clarinet The bass clarinet works in exactly the same way as the clarinet, except the sound it makes is a lot lower. The bass clarinet is a lot longer than a normal clarinet and is supported on the floor by a spike. It is only played by one person in the orchestra, making it a very important instrument.

Oboe The oboe is one of the most recognisable sounds in the orchestra. It creates a very bright, sharp sound, often compared to that of a duck! The oboe uses two reeds, which are a lot smaller than the clarinet reed, to create the sound.

Cor Anglais Cor Anglais means English Horn , and is the larger version of the oboe. The end of the instrument is curved, creating a more mellow sound. Like the bass clarinet, the cor anglais is played by only one person in the orchestra.

Bassoon The bassoon is the bass instrument of the woodwind section. Like the oboe, the bassoon used two reeds two create the sound. The sound of the bassoon comes out of the top of the instrument, rather than the bottom.

Contrabassoon The contrabassoon is the larger version of the bassoon. This is the largest instrument in the woodwind family. Like the bass clarinet and the cor anglais, this instrument is only played by one person in the orchestra.

Flute The flute is the only instrument in the woodwind family which does not use a reed to create the sound. The flute is the only woodwind instrument that is made entirely of metal. The flute is a quiet instrument, so there are usually more flute players in an orchestra than any other woodwind instrument.

Piccolo The piccolo is the smallest instrument in the woodwind family. It is a smaller, higher-pitched version of the flute. The piccolo is easily identifiable because of its high pitch, which makes it perfect for playing the tune in a marching band as well as in an orchestra.

Traffic Lights Clarinet Oboe Bassoon Flute

This instrument uses a single reed to create a mellow sound. ClarinetOboeBassoon Flute

Made entirely of metal, this instrument does not use a reed to create the sound. ClarinetOboeBassoon Flute

Because it uses two reeds, the sound created by this instrument is often compared to the quack made by a duck! ClarinetOboeBassoon Flute

This is a bass instrument which uses a double reed. ClarinetOboeBassoon Flute

Traffic Lights Bass Clarinet Cor Anglais Contrabassoon Piccolo

I am a larger version of the oboe. Bass Clarinet Cor Anglais Contrabassoon Piccolo

I am the largest instrument in the woodwind family. Bass Clarinet Cor Anglais Contrabassoon Piccolo

This instrument uses a single reed and is supported on the floor with a spike. Bass Clarinet Cor Anglais Contrabassoon Piccolo

I am the smallest and highest pitched instrument in the woodwind family. Bass Clarinet Cor Anglais Contrabassoon Piccolo