Orchestra: Woodwind Family Lapbook Unit
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Woodwind Family Lesson Plan!
Wonderful wild whistling woodwinds winding through the wind! Wishing you knew more about the woodwind family of instruments? Wonder no more! Whether or not you play one of these beautiful instruments, you will learn much about them here!
This page may be simply read through to learn about these instruments, or perhaps you would like to listen to some pieces for these instruments. Students may use the information and links to do research or learn more about an instrument they play, and parents and teachers may use the following in individual lessons or as a thorough unit study. Many free games, printable worksheets, videos, links, and more are here for you to use. I love woodwind instruments and hope that you find this page interesting and useful! Thanks for visiting! Please leave a message below to let me know you were here, or what you liked and disliked. Thanks! :D
Contents at a Glance
Test Your Woodwind Knowledge 1
Woodwind Lapbooks & Notebooks
Great study and reinforcement learning materials!
- Woodwind Lapbook from Joyful Songs
- These materials were put together with the intention of doing an entire unit study around it, but they may certainly be used in part. The following are pieces I created to make a lapbook or notebook with your studies.
Woodwind Cover for your notebook (The picture at the top of the page.)
Woodwind Bible Verses ~ Verse cards, storage pocket, notebook pages, and a poster / puzzle.
Woodwind Vocabulary Mini Book
Lapbook Minis
~ Instruments: flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, oboe, English horn, bassoon, recorder, didgeridoo, pan pipes (syrinx)
~ Members of the flute family, members of the saxophone family, single reed, double reed, pitch, history
History of Woodwinds ~ Choice of mini book or notebook page.
Characteristics of Woodwind Instruments ~ Mini book and notebook page.
Woodwind File Folders ~ A mini folder for each: piccolo, flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon. Includes a lined sheet for easier writing to insert if desired; a color and black and white version; extra graphics.
Flashcards ~ for studying, playing a matching game, or go fish.
Version 1 has pictures and words on the same card.
Version 2 has pictures on one card, names on another.
Flashcard Pocket for storage.
Woodwind Notebook Pages ~ 6 pages for notes (One of them is designated for science in music.)
Computer & Book Resources ~ mini book to notate where you researched or read about the instruments.
Woodwind Gameboard ~ review questions about woodwinds.
- Notebook & Lapbook Group @ Squidoo
- "Okay, so what is a lapbook or notebook?" you might be asking. It is an exciting fun way to record all the information you have learned in a unit by making a book full of mini books, games, flash cards, or anything else that is useful to remembering your unit's objectives. Kids love creating and sharing them to achieve numerous repetitions of the material you want them to know. The webpage link above is one of my favorites for learning how to lapbook and notebook with your students. There are numerous lenses to learn what they are and how to make them. Several wonderful lapbook units are listed there, too. Have fun!
- Instrument Families of the Orchestra
- Tab book I created for all the families of the orchestra
- Instrument Diagrams
- Label Parts of a Recorder, Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon & Saxophone
Label the Woodwind Member Names in English or other languages
Instrument coloring pages for primary grades, many other music activities also. - Woodwind Mini Books
- Several mini books for woodwind instruments from Homeschool Share ~
Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, and Bassoon - Instrument Playground at Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
- 11 Page Document containing information on instrument families, orchestra seating, woodwind family instruments (pictures, description, how to play), the conductor, Powell Hall, and music vocabulary.
- Orchestra Seating Charts
- Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern Orchestras
Check how the instrumentation has changed.
These four charts may be printed out and added to your book. - Instrument Worksheets at TLS Books
- 'My Musical Instrument Book' ~ A page for each instrument family, a puzzle, word search, and instrument sort page in a cute tab book.
Woodwind Word Search & Labeling ~ Woodwind Printing Practice ~ Woodwind Name Match - Woodwind Family Flashcards
- Very nicely done cards of all the instrument families.
- The Visual Dictionary
- Click on the instruments you want to read a small blurb and use the pictures in your materials.
- Music Graphics Galore
- "A collection of music icons, clipart, graphics, & icons."
A Woodwind Unit Study
Learning About Woodwind Instruments
Unit studies can be so much fun! I love to incorporate as many subject areas as possible when I research and write my music units. You may want to consider adding other content areas to your music studies. Many people push aside music as a "less important subject", spending most of their time in the "academic" studies. (Unfortunately this is happening in the school systems frequently.) I am in no way downgrading core curriculums, I put them first before music in my own children's studies. What I want to make clear though is that music truly is related to all of the academic areas in one way or another! It may be used to enhance learning in many ways.Even the ancient Greeks saw the importance in music. Three main subjects were part of their curriculum. Math for the brain, physical activities for the body, and music for the soul.
I'm working on a lens entitled "Music is FUNdaMENTAL" because I feel strongly about this. The lens is 'published' but far from being done. It is one that I hope to constantly add research about music and education. You may check it out if you like, but in brief, here is what I mean as far as relating it to other curricula content.
Bible - Study how, when, where, why, and who used music in the Bible. Find out which instruments are mentioned. Research the materials and technology that would have been available to create the instruments. How do you think these instruments may have sounded compared to our modern instruments?
Language Arts - So many language skills may be practiced while studying music! Read about the instruments. Use library and internet research skills to obtain more information. Write a descriptive paragraph about an instrument. Create a poem about your favorite instrument...
Math - Music and math go hand in hand. Reading and counting rhythms is pure math. Read and create rhythmic patterns to play on an instrument, even if it is just clapping out a steady beat or pattern. Study and use what I call 'Musical Math Formulas' ~ the distances or intervals between pitches, the relationships of notes in a chord, scale patterns, etcetera. Measure and compare the sizes of instruments and how size and shape influence the tone ... which leads to ...
Science - The study of acoustics (how sounds are made) is a very interesting part of music and physics. Study about vibrations and frequency and how they affect the pitch and tone of an instrument. See link below in the science section for some really cool stuff.
Social Studies - It is fascinating to study the beginnings and history of musical instruments. Find out what types of instruments were created where and why. Did it have anything to do with the technology, materials, or culture of the area? Of course it did! :) Study a country or two where instruments originated. Study the culture and what part music had in it. Was music used for religious ceremonies, secular purposes, part of drama? Who in the society listened to and played music? Was is just the rich or educated who could afford instruments? Did music of a time or place reflect anything about the people?
Art - Artistic time periods in history have similarities in music, art, drama, dance, literature, and so on. For instance, certain instruments seemed to be favored in the baroque period. What techniques, styles, and materials did artists like to use in the same time period? Or, listen to the emotional qualities of different instruments and their uses. Try to put that same feeling into a piece of artwork.
Physical Education - Move and dance to the music you hear! Allow your imagination to take over once in a while. Does the music or instrument make you feel like moving fast, bouncy, or softly? Try to conduct a piece of music - the arms can get really tired quickly. :) Think about all the fine motor skills of a woodwind player or keyboardist. What physical qualities might a pecussionist need and use?
Foreign Language - How are the instrument names changed in different languages? (The Enchanted Learning Website has some great printable pages of instruments in various languages.) Compare Latin and Greek root words in musical terms (flute, flote, flauta). Why do musicians all over the world use so much Italian on printed sheet music?
Computer - Listen to instrumental recordings. Watch videos to see how they are used or how they are played. Locate pictures and articles. Anything you want!
I'm sure you get the idea - perk up your units by including music in some way, even if it is something like singing spelling words - great memory tool! Enjoy all your learning, and please leave other suggestions you might have for including music in your curriculum. :D
Woodwind Family Research
- Woodwind Family of the Orchestra
- Descriptions of the instruments of the family and their construction, how they are played, reed explanations, examples to hear, and fantastic pictures of real instruments.
- Woodwinds
- History & description of instruments for all ages.
- Woodwind Instruments
- Detailed information about the family.
- Reed Instruments
- Single & double reeds, composition, pictures
- Woodwind Instruments from Around the World
- This list contains instruments you will recognize plus many that you won't, different sizes of the instruments, country they originated in, and a brief history and description.
- **Woodwind Family
- This is soooo cool! This gentleman has pictures of every size flute, clarinet, and sax. There is information, sound clips, and videos. I've have never seen so many types of woodwinds before!
- Woodwinds at Play Music
- Click on the picture at the top to find out more about the instruments. Click on "more" to see a diagram of the instrument and find out about the parts of it. Play "Name that Woodwind" Game!
- Orchestral Instruments
- Scroll down and click on what you want to know more about.
- The Woodwind Family
- More information
- Listen by Instrument
- Click on the instrument you want to hear; there is a picture, small description, and 2 - 3 sound clips of each woodwind.
- The Winds
- A one paragraph description and picture of each woodwind instrument.
- Instrument Playground - Woodwind Packet
- Download a 12 page packet on each of the instrument families. Each packet gives information about the family and instruments within the group, conductor information, vocabulary terms, etcetera from the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.
- Music Links to Everything for Woodwind Players
- Graphics ~ Practice Tips ~Tips on Performance & Performance Anxiety ~ General Information on Flute, Clarinet, and Saxophone ~ Fingering Charts ~
Music Theory ~ Terminology ~ Ear Training ~ Hearing Protection ~ Music History ~ Sheet Music ~ Mailing Lists ~ Newsgroups ~ Webrings ~ Tone & Technique ~ Breathing ~ Warm-Ups ~ Equipment ~ Instrument Care - Types of Wind Instruments
- Short video on the flute, oboe, and clarinet - okay, trumpet, too!
- Woodwind Intruments
- A small history and description of each woodwind instrument including rare and historic variations of the instruments.
Books about Woodwinds
Woodwind Instruments and Their History by Anthony Baines
This superior study by a leading authority on woodwind more...2 points
Instrument Repair for the Music Teacher by Burton Stanley
A practical and comprehensive text on instrument r more...2 points
Teaching Woodwinds: A Method and Resource Handbook for Music Educators by William Dietz
This method and resource handbook for music educat more...1 point
How to Love Your Flute: A Guide to Flutes and Flute Playing, or How to Play the Flute, Choose One, and Care for It, Plus Flute History, Flute Science, Folk Flutes, and More by Mark Shepard
A complete guide for anyone who plays the flute or more...0 points
Simple Flutes: A Guide to Flute Making and Playing, or How to Make and Play Great Homemade Musical Instruments for Children and All Ages from Bamboo, Wood, Clay, Metal, PVC Plastic, or Anything Else by Mark Shepard
Simple flutes of bamboo, wood, metal, plastic, or more...0 points
Biblical Reference to Woodwinds
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150
Praise him with the strings and flute. Psalm 150:4b
His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute. Genesis 4:21
All the people went up after him, playing flutes and rejoicing gladly, so that the ground shook with sound. 1 Kings 1:40
'For the Director of Music. For Flutes. A Psalm of David.'
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-make straight
your way before me. Psalm 5:8
And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people go up with flutes to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. Isaiah 30:29
You will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them. 1 Samuel 10:5
Something to carry your music and stuff!
Suggested Vocabulary
Please choose words for your students according to their age and previous knowledge of woodwind instruments.
Woodwind Instuments: bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe, recorder, saxophone
Parts of woodwind instruments: barrel, bocal, conical bore, cork, cylindrical bore, double reed, ebonite, grenadilla, wood, head joint, joints, keys, ligature, mouthpiece, nickel, pads, plastic, reed, register key, silver, silver plated, springs, tone hole, wood
General Music Terms: acoustics, air pressure, alto, baritone, bass, concert band, concert pitch, contrabass, embouchure, ensemble, family, fingerings, frequency, jazz band, instrument, marching band, octave, orchestra, pitch, range, soprano, sound wave, tenor, timbre, tone, vibration, woodwind
Related Music Lenses
Games & Fun Activities
- The Woodwind Game
- A gameboard and cards I created with this unit for a review!
- Woodwinds at Play Music
- Play "Name that Woodwind" Game!
- The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Adventure
- Really cool interactive game from Carnegie Hall!
- Musical Instruments
- Online Word Search
- Instrument Match
- Match the instruments with their families.
- Instruments of the Orchestra
- Sound & Instrument Match
Fun & Games!!
Woodwind Science

Silver Flute on Sheet of Music
* Lapbook: Music & Science Notebook Page
- Woodwind Instruments
- Descriptions and pictures of flutes, piccolos, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, saxophones, and recorders to be used for all ages.
**At this site, high school students who study physics and calculus will enjoy details of the physics of sound - types of cylinders, wavelengths, closed or open holes, reeds, sizes, sounds, hearing, harmonics, etcetera. - Musical Pitch
- Middle to High School description of the science of pitch.
- Musical Acoustics
- Some Introductory Pages: Basics in Music Acoustics
- How Do Woodwind Instruments Work?
- It's fun to learn the 'why' and 'how'!
- Tuning Woodwinds
- Science behind the sounds
- Woodwind Instruments in Action
- More to learn
- Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Lesson plans from Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the following topics and many more.
Fun Facts of Sound ~ musical sound terms
Vibrations ~ learn about sound vibrations with forks and a tin can telephone
Vibrations Explorations ~ explore with fun activities
Acoustic Experiments ~ 8 simple experiments about sound waves you can do at home
Finding Musical Frequencies ~ discusses relationship of frequency of sound waves to pitch
Pitch Games ~ activities to explore changes in pitch
Sound Waves ~ explore the differences in amplitude (dynamics) and frequency (pitch) of notes
Hands - On Activities
- Make a Woodwind Instrument
- Follow the directions for fun at Dallas Symphony Orchestra!
- Instrument Lab
- Visit the New York Philharmonic for directions to make some unique homemade instruments. Roll your mouse over the pictures of instruments to see their name. Click on the ones you like to hear their sounds, and find out how to make them! "Woodwinds" on the page are: Sheng ~ Metrocard bassoon ~ Kazoo.
The Flute Family
Characteristics of the Flute Family Members
* Lapbook: Flute & Piccolo Mini Books; Members of the Flute Family Mini; Woodwind File Folder for Flute & Piccolo; Various Notebook Pages for History or Characteristics; (See Lapbook Section for Joyful Songs Link)Piccolo:
Piccolo is the highest pitched instrument in the orchestra.
It plays one octave above regular flute pitch.
It is usually made of sterling silver, silver, or grenadilla wood.
The piccolo sounds much louder and "cuts through" large sounds such as marching band.
The name came from the Italian 'flauto piccolo' or 'little flute'.
John Philip Sousa wrote some of the most famous piccolo pieces in his marches (i.e. ~ "Stars & Stripes Forever").
Piccolo is about half the size of a regular flute (12 ½ inches).
Flute:
The flute may be played in several types of groups and styles of music: orchestra, band, chamber ensembles - classical, jazz, blues, pop, rock, etc.
Flutes may be made of wood, nickel, sterling silver, or silver. The type of metal used changes the overall tone and sound.
Most flutes range from middle C to the second C above the treble clef.
Blowing across the hole in the headjoint produces sound.
Pitches are created by changing the combination of fingers on the keys, the player's embouchure (mouth position), and amount of air.
A 'traverse' flute is one that is held to the side.
Flutes may have finger holes or keys over the holes to push.
The flute is pitched in C as it is a non-transposing instrument.
The flute is assembled from three pieces; the head joint, body, and foot.
Alto Flute:
Alto flute was first created in 1854 by Theobold Boehm.
The length is longer and the cylinder is wider than the regular C flute.
The headjoint is curved back toward the player in a 'J' shape.
Alto flute is a 'G' instrument meaning it plays pitches a perfect fourth lower than written.
It has a three-octave range from G below middle C to the second G written above the treble staff.
The tone is smoother and mellower.
Classical pieces the alto is used in: "Lord of the Rings" by Shore, "The Rite of Spring" by Stravinsky, and "The Planets" by Holst.
Bass Flute:
Bass flute was created in 1920 to be used as a low woodwind sound in jazz groups.
It is a 'C' instrument but sounds an octave lower than regular flutes. It's range is more limited.
The length and size is much bigger making it heavier and lower.
The headjoint is curved around to the player similar to the alto flute.
The sound is gentle, quiet, and very beautiful, but almost in a haunting way.
Recorder:
The recorder is held to the front of the player as opposed to side.
It's popularity was at it's height during the Renaissance and Baroque style periods of music.
It was traditionally made of all wood, but modern versions may be plastic.
Because of it's soft quality, it was not used frequently in orchestra; it was more of a solo or small group instrument.
Fife:
A fife is a small type of flute similar to a piccolo.
It is small, high pitched, and played to the right.
It is sounded one octave higher than written.
It's high, shrill sound has been used in many military bands to send signals to the troops.
Check out Williamsburg websites to hear some fife and drum corps.
Bamboo flutes are popular throughout Asia especially in Indian and China. (See videos below.)
Panpipes are a series of different sized tubes connected together. The various sizes produce the pitches.
Other flutes: Soprano Eb Flute, Tenor Bb Flute, Treble G Flute - Many other size varieties, also!
More About the Flute!
- All About the Flute
- Anyone who plays the flute will enjoy this website! It is a great place to study more about the flute for everyone. It contains:
The Flute Family ~ History of the Flute ~ How the Flute is Made ~ Buying a Flute ~ How to Care for Your Flute ~ Flute Makers ~ Famous Flautists ~ Flute Legends ~ Breath Control ~ Flute Recordings ~ Flute Repertoire ~ Stance and Tone - Big Flutes
- Pictures & Information about huge bass flutes and flutes of other varieties and shape ~ some are really cool looking!
- The Virtual Flute
- For flute players - find out regular and alternate fingerings for flute notes.
- Flute Acoustics
- For flute players - the mechanics of your instrument.
- Parts of the Flute
- A video to see the various parts of the flute.
- How to Clean a Flute
- A video on how to clean the flute.
- Flute Playing Tips
- A Video on the basics of making a sound ~ You will find other videos in the series here also.
- Flutes
- Contains: An Introduction, Flute Mouthpieces, The Orchestral Flute, Piccolos and Alto Flutes, A History and Geography of the Flute, Repertoire for the Flute, Practical Information
Flute Videos
Chinese Bamboo Flute
Indian Bamboo Flute
??? Umm, uniquely Interesting.
Irish Flute
Irish Whistle
Native American Flute
Venezuelan Music
Tibetian Flute Music
The Clarinet Family
Characteristics about the Clarinet Family Members
* Lapbook: Clarinet & Bass Clarinet Mini Books; Woodwind File Folder for Clarinet; Single Reeds; Various Notebook Pages for History or CharacteristicsThe Eb clarinet plays a perfect fourth above the Bb clarinet.
Clarinet:
The clarinet is a single reed instrument.
The best sounding clarinets are made of wood, but there are several plastic varieties.
Keys on the instrument are made of metal.
Pieces of the clarinet are the bell (cone shape at the bottom), two main body pieces, mouthpiece, single wood reed, and a ligature that holds the reed on the mouthpiece.
The Bb clarinet is the most widely used in orchestral and band settings. This clarinet's 'C' sounds like concert pitch 'Bb'.
An A clarinet is used sometimes in orchestras to play in sharp keys. This clarinet's 'C' sounds like concert 'A'.
Alto Clarinet:
The alto clarinet is halfway between the Bb clarinet and bass clarinet.
Bass Clarinet:
The bass clarinet is also a Bb instrument.
It is larger and pitched one octave below the regular clarinet.
The bell of the bass is curved up.
Contrabass Clarinet:
Contrabass clarinets are over six feet long.
The contrabass sounds two octaves below the Bb regular clarinet.
More About the Clarinet

- Clarinets are Cool!!
- A lens I wrote dedicated completely to the clarinet! This is mostly directed to clarinet players with much detail, but it may be helpful to those studying the clarinet in general, also.
Clarinet Websites
History of the Clarinet
Clarinet Family
Lesson Tips from the Masters
Technical Aspects of the Clarinet
Sheet Music
Listening Exerpts
Clipart
Practice Suggestions
Purchase Information
Instrument Care
Famous Clarinetists - Clarinet Family
- The Members
- Clarinet
- Lessons & Resources
- International Clarinet Association
- Clarinet players can learn so much from here!
- Clarinet Diagram
- Shows the parts in detail.
- Clarinet Acoustics
- The why's and how's of the clarinet sound
- Flutes vs. Clarinets
- Open vs. Closed Pipes
- Playing the Clarinet
- A clarinet lens on Squidoo
- Clarinet
- Family Information
- Woodwinds!!!
- Really awesome picture of a variety of woodwind instruments!
- Clarinets
- Introduction, The Instrument (Basic, Shape, Range, Timbre, Harmonics), History, Repertoire, Practical Information
Listening to Woodwinds
Some Recommendations
The Claude Bolling Suites for Flute & Jazz Piano Trio No. 1 and 2
This 2CD set of jazz flute and piano trio is the f more...0 points
Chamber Music for English Horn and Strings
Music of M. Hadyn, W.A. Mozart, G. Rossini & J more...0 points
Favorite Woodwinds

Woodwind Stuff
For your favorite woodwind players!
Jazz Musician Rubber Ducky
Know someone who plays the sax or just loves jazz more...2 points
New Clarinet Woodwind Musical Band Instrument Ornament
BEIGE AND BLACK ACOUSTIC CLASSICAL GUITAR - REFRIG more...1 point
Miniature Collectible Black Clarinet with Case & Stand
Realistic looking 3 dimensional miniature black cl more...1 point
Saxophone Key Chain
The Saxophone key chain measures about 4 inches in more...1 point
Saxophone Check Book Cover
The Saxophone Check Book Cover is constructed of h more...1 point
FLUTE ~Wall Clock~ band woodwind music teacher new gift
This BRAND NEW wall clock measures 10 inches in di more...0 points
OBOE Wall Clock music woodwind instrument student oboes
This BRAND NEW wall clock measures 10 inches in di more...0 points
Flutist Refrigerator Pad
Vivid original art on the perfect pad for quick no more...0 points
OBOE Street Sign ~ Custom Street Sign - Aluminum
OBOE Street Sign ~ Custom Aluminum Street Sign. A more...0 points
Bassoon Player or Bassoonist Classical Musician - WATCHBUDDY® DELUXE TWO-TONE THEME WATCH - Arabic Numbers - Green Leather Strap-Size-Large ( Men's Size or Jumbo Women's Size )
WatchBuddy Deluxe Watches are the World's Most Lov more...0 points
Saxophone Die-Cut Wit & Wisdom Magnet
Paper House Productions combined this top selling image more...0 points
The Saxophone Family
Characteristics of the Saxophone Family Members
* Lapbook: Alto Sax & Tenor Sax Mini Books; Members of the Saxophone Family Mini; Single Reeds; Woodwind File Folder for Saxophone; Various Notebook PagesSaxophones have a much shorter history than other woodwinds being developed around 1840 in Paris by Adolphe Sax.
Soprano Saxophone:
The soprano has a straight body and is about the size of a clarinet.
It is the highest sounding of the saxophones.
Soprano saxophone is a Bb transposing instrument.
Alto Saxophone:
The metal body of the saxophone is shaped into a cone (conical shape).
Most saxophones have a curved bell or end area that turns up and to the front.
They are the only woodwind instruments made of brass.
The single reed attached to the mouthpiece classifies it as a member of the woodwind family.
Saxophones are considered woodwind instead of brass family because of the way it is blown into.
Saxophones are not usually used in symphony orchestras, but instead are strong in jazz and rock bands.
The alto is an "Eb" instrument. It's 'C' sounds like a concert Eb pitch.
Tenor Saxophone:
Tenor is slightly bigger than the alto and it sound a bit lower.
It is a Bb instrument.
Baritone Saxophone:
Baritone is the largest and lowest of the common saxophones.
It is an Eb instrument.
More About the Saxophone
- Saxophone Family
- You won't believe the size of some of these instruments. This site contains information, pictures, and sound clips.
- Saxophones!!
- Pictures & Sounds
- Parts of a Saxophone
- Scroll down to click on a picture.
- Saxophone Acoustics
- Physics introduction to sound production on the saxophone ~ Learn about how reeds, bores, and tone holes change the tone and pitch of the instrument.
- Saxophones
- Introduction, The Instrument, History, Repertoire, Practical Information
Saxophone Videos
Tenor Sax Solo
Contrabass Saxophone
World Sax Quartet
Joshua Redman / James Carter
John Coltrane
Charlie Parker
The Oboe Family
Characteristics of the Oboe
* Lapbook: Oboe Mini Book; Woodwind File Folder for Oboe; Double Reeds; Various Notebook Pages for History or CharacteristicsAncient Greece used a similar double reed instrument called the aulos.
Similar instruments have been found in ancient Sumeria / Ur.
Europe had a loud outdoor reed instrument called the shawm around the 12th century that is thought to be the predecessor of the oboe.
Oboe was the first common orchestral woodwind around the late 1600's.
The oboe is made of wood or plastic with metal keys.
It does not have a mouthpiece, but has a double reed that the player places in the mouth.
It looks similar to the clarinet.
Sound is produced with vibrations from the double reed by blowing.
The oboe is the instrument that gives the tuning note to the orchestra.
The oboe is related to the bassoon in that it has a double reed.
It is also related to the English Horn in shape, the bulbous bell at the end, double reed, and sound.
Oboe is the highest pitched reed instrument.
More About the Oboe

Photo thanks to Photobucket!
- The Oboe and its Relatives
- Contains: Introduction, The Instrument, History, Repertoire, Practical Information.
You may download a PDF copy of the page to use for reference or put in your notebook. - History of the Oboe
- This site contains tons of useful information about the oboe such as an oboe timeline and a brief history of the oboe.
For Oboists: Break-in & Maintenance Procedures, Selecting an Oboe to Buy, History of the Oboe, Recommended Methods and Repertory for Teachers & Students, Oboe Orchestral Audition Lists, Glossary of Oboe Terms - Orchestral Oboe Lens
- Information at another oboe lens!
- Oboe & Reeds
- Information for the Oboe Player
- Oboe at DSO
- Brief description and two sound samples
- Oboe
- The history of the instrument and a list of selected works.
- Oboe History
- A timeline of historic oboe events
The English Horn
Characteristics of the English Horn
* Lapbook: English Horn Mini Book; Double Reeds; Various Notebook Pages for History or CharacteristicsThe English horn is a descendant of the oboe.
It was used greatly during the Baroque period of music.
It is not actually and English instrument, but because it's original name "cor angle" or "bent horn" had been mistranslated in the French "cor anglais" to "English horn", the name stuck.
The instrument has a conical or cone shaped body.
It looks similar to the oboe except for the larger size and its bulb shape at the bottom.
English horn is a double reed instrument.
The oboe and English horn have a similar sound, but it is lower pitched.
It is an "F" instrument meaning it sounds an interval of a perfect fifth lower than written.
More About the English Horn

- English Horn ~ Cor Anglais
- An article at Wikipedia.
- The English Horn
- Hear samples, see a picture, and read a description of the English horn.
The Bassoon Family
Characteristics of the Bassoon
* Lapbook: Oboe Mini Book; Woodwind File Folder for Bassoon; Double Reeds; Various Notebook Pages for History or CharacteristicsBassoons are made of wood with metal keys.
The bassoon uses a double reed attached to a curved metal tube called a 'bocal'.
The bassoon is the largest and lowest member of the woodwind family (except for some of the bass varieties of other woodwinds).
A contrabassoon is like a regular bassoon but is larger and lower pitched.
The bassoon breaks up into 5 parts (the double reed, bocal, tenor joint, bass joint, and bell).
The instrument is over 9 feet long including the reed.
More About the Bassoon
- Bassoon Website
- Information about anything bassoon including many bassoon links.
- Bassoons
- Contains: Introduction, The Instrument, History, Repertoire, Practical Information. ~ You may download a PDF copy of the page to use for reference or put in your notebook.
Woodwind History
Great Places to Purchase Sheet Music & Instruments
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Test Your Woodwind Knowledge 2
Answers to "Test Your Woodwind Knowledge 1" ~ The flute, clarinet, and saxophone are woodwinds. The violin is in the string family, and the trumpet is in the brass family!
I hope this page was helpful and entertaining for you! :D
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Have you ever played a woodwind instrument?
Do you enjoy listening to woodwinds?
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Mujjen
Jan 17, 2012 @ 9:05 am | delete
- I like woodwind music very much. Used to play the clarinet, and have started practicing again.
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Jan 14, 2012 @ 3:38 pm | delete
- I do. I am quite partial to them since I am a sax player.
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Blessedmombygrace
Jul 25, 2011 @ 10:03 pm | delete
- I found this page thru a link on webnuggetz! WIsh I could play one of these woodwinds, but I am musically challenged. However I throw a mean birthday party!
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lasertek
May 30, 2011 @ 10:21 am | delete
- You have some great info and links for homeschooling. Well done!
We actually cover the same topic, here's mine: Homeschooling 101: Guide to Free Curriculum and Other Resources.
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wordstock
May 28, 2011 @ 12:00 am | delete
- Starting homeschooling next year and this is very helpful. Adding it as a featured lens on my homeschooling lens so I have instant access. Great lens, you've don the work for me. Angel blessed.
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JoyfulPamela
Jun 2, 2011 @ 2:36 pm | delete
- Thank you so much! I hope it will be helpful to you and others. : )
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JulieS
Apr 5, 2011 @ 10:40 am | delete
- We studied the orchestra with the multi-level curriculum, Konos Unit Studies many years ago. This would have been such a great resource for that unit study. I can tell you put a lot into it. I hope to put up a post on my website, Best Homeschool Buys, about some of your homeschool unit study lenses.
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JoyfulPamela
Apr 5, 2011 @ 12:05 pm | delete
- Thank you, Julie! I'm looking forward to checking out your website. =D
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flutestar123
Mar 22, 2011 @ 2:40 pm | delete
- Great lens! I LOVE listening to woodwinds, especially flutes. I love how you incorporated information about some of the lesser known instruments in the woodwind family. I had heard of an English Horn, but I didn't really know anything about it.
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MissMerFaery
Feb 3, 2011 @ 2:22 pm | delete
- My goodness! What a wonderful resource lens, this is fantastic! I loved learning about instruments and pieces of music back in school. I don't play any woodwind instruments but love to listen to them. And the comment below mine made me smile - isn't that just what Squidoo should be about - providing helpful and interesting info for others! This is definitely being blessed by a MerAngel :)
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by JoyfulPamela
Hi! I love the sounds of all types of instruments, but woodwinds are my favorites! I suppose that is why I'm a professional woodwind performer! On this... more »
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