Woodwind Instruments And Musical Whistles

The woodwind family is a group of musical instruments, including flutes and reed instruments, categorized by a cylindrical or conical tube of wood or metal. Players produce sound by blowing air through a mouthpiece, changing the pitch by opening and closing numerous holes along the body known as tone holes. The same applies to many forms of musical whistles. While not all whistles fall under the category of woodwind instruments, there are similarities and overlaps. Here are some of the most common woodwind instruments and whistles.

Flute

The flute is arguably one of the most recognizable woodwind instruments. Flutes are generally made from metals such as copper-nickel and silver; however, primordial versions of the flute are said to have been made from bamboo and even animal bones, with evidence of the earliest flute dating back to around the 5th century BC. Classed as an aerophone or reedless woodwind instrument, flute players produce sound by blowing horizontally across the mouthpiece, similar to how you would make sound from an empty glass bottle. Variations of the flute include the high-pitched piccolo, often referred to as a "baby flute", and the bass flute pitched one octave below the concert flute.

Penny Whistle

Also known as a tin whistle, fipple flute or flageolet, the penny whistle was invented by Robert Clarke in 1843 in Suffolk, England. Capable of producing a high-pitched, airy sound, the tin whistle is predominantly associated with Irish folk music, where it is known as a feadóg stáin. Portable and affordable, many experts believe that the penny whistle got its name from the price it once cost to purchase one, as they were allegedly sold on busy city streets for one penny.

Bassoon

The bassoon was developed in the early 1700s and is the largest instrument in the woodwind family. With a distinctive shape consisting of a long hardwood tube doubled in half, an unfolded bassoon would reach a tremendous nine feet long. The sheer size of this instrument allows for its distinctive low pitch. At the end of its wooden tube, the bassoon features a thin metal tube known as a bocal with a double reed - when air is blown into the mouthpiece, the double reed vibrates, producing sound.

Oboe

The oboe is another double-reed woodwind instrument with a rich history, first appearing in the court orchestras of 17th-century France when it was called a hautbois. However, many believe the oboe was based on, or at least inspired by, the aulos, an instrument played in ancient Greece. The most common type of oboe is the soprano oboe pitched in C, which produces a sound often likened to a human voice and is undoubtedly one of the most distinct sounds in an orchestra or band.

Samba Whistle

The samba whistles , or apito de samba, may seem small and simple, but it has rich cultural significance. Used in samba performances, samba whistle players signal musical changes and transitions for the rest of the band to follow due to its loud, shrill sound that easily cuts through noise. While the exact origins of the samba whistle are tricky to pinpoint, experts believe it has been used in traditional Brazilian music since the early 19th century. You can read more about the samba whistle here.

Pan Flute

The panpipe, syrinx, or pan flute, is another example of a culturally significant woodwind instrument. Widespread across many cultures, including Melanesia and pre-Columbian South America, the earliest evidence of the pan flute dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. The name “pan flute” comes from a Greek myth, whereby nymph Syrinx (which means reed) was turned into a reed pipe and played by the satyr Pan. The pan flute consists of multiple pipes gradually increasing in length, and players produce sound by blowing horizontally across the pipe openings.

Clarinet

Although the clarinet may be similar to the oboe in appearance, it is a single-reed instrument. First introduced in 1700s Germany, this instrument comes in various sizes - determining pitch - and is used in a broad range of musical genres. With a warm and bright yet soothing tone, the clarinet is a highly popular woodwind instrument for beginner musicians. What clarinettists may not know is that their instrument is a descendant of a French instrument known as the Chalumeau (or Chalumeax), popular primarily during the 17th and 18th centuries.