Woodwind Family

Woodwind instruments produce sound by blowing air through a reed or across an opening. In an orchestra, this family includes the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and sometimes the saxophone. The timbre of woodwinds can vary from the clear and bright sound of the flute to the deep and reedy sound of the bassoon. The instruments in this family produce sound by vibrating strings using a bow or plucking with fingers.

Flute

Timbre: Clear, bright, and penetrating

Range: B3 to D7

Transposition: Non-transposing (concert pitch)

Clef: Treble clef

Piccolo

Timbre: Bright, piercing, and often shrill timbre. It can also produce a delicate, sweet sound in its lower range.

Range: D5 to C8. However, some professional models can reach as high as D8.

Clef: Treble clef

Transposition: The piccolo is a transposing instrument. It sounds one octave higher than written. For example, if a note is written as middle C (C4) on the staff, it will sound as C5 when played.

Oboe

Timbre: Reedy, nasal, and expressive

Range: B3 to G6

Transposition: Non-transposing (concert pitch)

Clef: Treble clef

Cor Anglais

The cor anglais is a double-reed woodwind instrument, similar to the oboe but larger and with a bent metal crook at the top. The instrument has a bulbous bell, which contributes to its distinctive timbre.

Timbre: rich, mellow, and somewhat plaintive timbre. It has a darker and more resonant sound compared to the oboe, with a slightly nasal quality.

Range: E3 to A6

Clef: Treble clef

Transposition: The cor anglais is a transposing instrument. It sounds a perfect fifth lower than written. For example, if a note is written as C5, it will sound as F4 when played.

Clarinet

Timbre: Warm, round, and versatile

Range: E3 to C7

Transposition: B♭ clarinet sounds a major second lower than written; A clarinet sounds a minor third lower than written

Clef: Treble clef

Bass Clarinet

The bass clarinet is a single-reed woodwind instrument, similar to the standard B♭ clarinet but larger and with a curved metal neck and an upturned bell.

Timbre: rich, deep, and warm timbre. It possesses a dark and resonant sound in its lower register, while its upper register is more reedy and bright.

Range: E♭3 to C7

Clef: Treble clef and sometimes bass clef for the lower register.

Transposition: The bass clarinet is a transposing instrument. It typically sounds a major ninth lower than written (for instruments in B♭). For example, if a note is written as C4, it will sound as B♭2 when played.

Bassoon

Timbre: Deep, reedy, and resonant

Range: B♭1 to E5

Transposition: Non-transposing (concert pitch)

Clef: Bass clef, sometimes tenor clef.

Contrabassoon

Timbre: Very deep, rich, and powerful

Range: B♭0 to B♭3

Transposition: Sounds an octave lower than written

Clef: Bass clef

Saxophone

The saxophone is not always in the orchestra, but is included for some works and repertoire.

Timbre: Smooth, rich, and flexible

Range: B♭3 to F6 (for alto saxophone)

Transposition: Eb alto saxophone sounds a major sixth lower than written; B♭ tenor saxophone sounds a major ninth lower than written

Clef: Treble clef.