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Grade 4 - Instruments (Part 1)

Meet the woodwind family: flute, clarinet, oboe and bassoon. Learn how reeds shape tone, how each produces sound, and how to recognise their timbres in Grade 4 Theory.

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Fascinating Fact:

Flute has no reed, clarinet uses a single reed, oboe and bassoon use double reeds. More reed gives a buzzier, more penetrating tone.

In Specialist Music Theory Grade 4, you identify woodwind instruments by how they make sound. The flute blows across a hole, the clarinet uses a single reed, and the oboe and bassoon use double reeds. Knowing this helps you hear tone differences in scores and exams.

Key Terms

Reed: A thin piece of cane that vibrates to start the sound in many woodwind instruments.
Timbre: The unique tone colour of an instrument or voice.
Embouchure: How a player shapes lips and mouth to control tone and pitch.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How can I tell woodwind instruments apart by their sound?

Flute is bright and air rich, clarinet is smooth and dark in the low register, oboe is piercing and nasal, and bassoon is deep with a reedy growl.

How does a reed change the sound of an instrument?

A vibrating reed adds a buzzier, more focused tone and strong articulation. Double reeds are usually brighter and more penetrating than single reeds at the same dynamic.

What is the difference between single and double reed instruments?

Single reeds, such as clarinet, vibrate against a mouthpiece with one reed. Double reeds, such as oboe and bassoon, use two reeds vibrating together for a tighter, reedier tone.