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Wind instrument types and their differences - an overview
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Are you interested in wind instrument types and want to learn more about their biggest differences? There are many subtle nuances in both woodwind and brass instruments. But which of the instruments is best for you and how are the many wind instruments best distinguished? That's exactly what we'll show you in this post:
The two groups of wind instruments at a glance
Basically, wind instruments are divided into two major groups. On the one hand we have the woodwind instruments, and on the other there are hand brass instruments. The woodwinds include classics such as the clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, recorder and flute. Brass instruments, on the other hand, are the trumpet, the horn, the tuba, or the trombone. However, the material is not always decisive.
The division into the two categories of wind instruments is in most cases already somewhat longer ago, which has changed the nature of the instruments. The transverse flute, for example, was once made of wood, while today many variants are made of metal.
You should be able to distinguish these wind instruments
A clear subdivision of the various types of wind instruments is very important to keep track of the world of wind instruments. Therefore, we show you in the following more detail what is behind the individual instruments and what makes them unique. You want to play a wind instrument yourself? Then the following overview is even more important and may help you in choosing your instrument:
Trumpet
The trumpet is one of the best-known wind instruments. Both as a solo instrument and in the orchestra, the trumpet cuts a fine figure and is convincing in many genres thanks to its diverse sound. It is now popular in classical music and jazz as well as in modern pop. The wind instrument has been relevant in music since 1813.
Saxophone
If you are looking for a large and at the same time intense wind instrument, you will like the saxophone. The body of the instrument is made of a sheet of brass, and the mouthpiece is similar to the clarinet. The saxophone is often used solo in jazz, but can also be found in the orchestra or in various styles of pop culture.
Tuba
Shortly after the invention of valves, the tuba was developed as a comprehensive wind instrument for the orchestra and other areas. The instrument appeals with its conical tubular structure and, thanks to its flat sound, is used and played with pleasure. Especially in the ensemble, the tuba has earned a firm place, which remains to this day.
Trombone
No other brass instrument could be played in semitone steps as early as the trombone. While it was practically irrelevant for a long time, Beethoven's use of it quickly made it much more popular again than other brass instruments. Even today, the trombone thus has its permanent place in the ensemble.
Oboe
Due to its mouthpiece with a double reed, the oboe is especially interesting as an instrument for the orchestra. The reed ends are made to vibrate by air currents, producing an intense and strong sound. This makes it easy to clearly identify the oboe at every concert and to distinguish it from many other instruments.
Clarinet
The clarinet is a soft-sounding woodwind instrument that can be used in numerous constellations. For example, the clarinet is a welcome guest in jazz music, but is also frequently played in ensembles. Even as a solo instrument, the clarinet has gained a firm place as a distinctive instrument over the years.
Bassoon
Those who find pleasure in humoresque sounds will enjoy the bassoon with its unique and natural sounds. The woodwind instrument produces tones through vibrations created by two opposing reeds. Modern compositions are also increasingly based on the bassoon, which can be heard very clearly thanks to soft sounds.
Transverse flute
Hardly any wind instrument has been able to assert itself in as many genres and epochs as the flute. For example, flutes were already present in chamber music and orchestras several hundred years ago, but are also used for jazz and rock. The transverse flute is a very popular first instrument in the world of wind instrument types.
Recorder
With the recorder, you can expect a widespread and exciting family of instruments that can cover a wide variety of heights and ranges. The special feature of the recorders is that the way of playing remains identical for all instruments. So you can cover quite different styles on the recorder with similar fingerings. It is also the first instrument for many musicians and the first step into the world of music.
Herald trumpet
One of the best-known signal instruments is the herald trumpet, on which only clear and natural tones can be played. Even if it is rather unsuitable as a classical instrument for learning, it definitely belongs in this list. Especially on special and formal occasions, the fanfare is played in the chapel to preserve good traditions.
Other wind instrument types
In addition to the types of wind instruments already mentioned, there are many others that provide a soft, pleasant and harmonious sound. They come in both compact and elongated forms:
- Tenor horn: oval structure and sounds with soft depths. Ideal for wind orchestra
- French horn: soft and warm sound of the oldest wind instrument in harmonic chords
- Cornet: harmonic brass instrument with soft sound, similar to trumpet
- Hunting horn: hunters' signal horn, expressive and intense sound with high range
- Euphonium: large, flat sound with conical tube tuned in B
However, the instruments listed here are rarely a suitable choice for musical projects and bands. Complementing the exotics are the classical wind instruments from our list—the much more common choice.
How to find the right wind instrument for you
In order to decide on the right wind instrument, it is important to differentiate between the two main categories. Are you more interested in a brass instrument or would you prefer a woodwind instrument? It is also important that you are fully enthusiastic about your new instrument. Especially with practice-intensive woodwind and brass instruments, rehearsing quickly becomes a burden without a certain motivation. For this reason, consciously choose a wind instrument with which you want to improve over many years.
Intensive practice quickly leads to progress
Even if instruments like the recorder seem to carry the image of a children's instrument, a lot of practice is required for straight and melodious tones. This is true for most types of wind instruments, although larger ones like the saxophone or trumpet are even more complex and require much more practice. To get started in the world of wind instruments, it is therefore recommended to visit a music school. Often the instruments can be played there not only alone, but early in the desired combination such as an ensemble.
If you want to play in a band, you can also do this perfectly with a wind instrument. For this, it is best to orient yourself directly on the different instruments that we have already presented to you in more detail above in the article. It is important that the sounds of the respective instruments fit to the other components of the band to be able to create an intense and pleasant sound. The right combination also makes playing much more fun.
Learn more about famous and rare instruments
Would you like to learn more about the different wind instruments and their effects? Here at mukken we've got a number of posts in the blog about which instruments are best for you and what to look for when buying. For a great exchange of experiences, you can also connect directly with other musicians via our personals and learn more about different wind instruments. You might also be interested in our other articles about rare instruments or the ocarina as an exciting wind instrument.
Originally published on March 15, 2023, updated on March 15, 2023
Main topic: Billie Eilish and the tragic
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