Simon Tiffin - Woodwind Instruments

Simon Tiffin

Woodwind Instruments

Woodwind Instruments by Elizabeth Reid takes a broad look at woodwind instruments and the roles that they have played throughout society's history, as well as their roles in modern-day society. The book's exposition starts with discussing musical instruments broadly and then begins to define woodwind instruments as a more defined part of the larger musical family. Saxophones, clarinets, and recorders are all mentioned as woodwind instruments. Although many are now made of plastic or metal, the book takes time to touch on their historical wood-based construction and how the name "woodwind" came to be. Reid explicates on the appearance of woodwind instruments and the importance of a mouthpiece and keys to its sound. After explaining different kinds of woodwinds, Reid delves into the sound-making process of woodwinds and how it primarily based on the vibration of reeds. Finally, Reid talks about how to play various woodwind instruments, whether it the 45 degree angle clarinet or the completely sideways flute and piccolo, and how these various instruments make different sounds. The book, of course, ends with pictures of various woodwind instruments and a glossary of bolded words. I believe this book could successfully develop upon ideas presented in a general music class about woodwind instruments. This book would be a good resource to 4th graders about to choose their instruments for band as it describes the difficulties of making sound with a reed. Perhaps buying a few reeds and having students experiment with vibrating the reeds would be instrument. Unfortunately, the book does not touch on double reeds, which are an important piece of the woodwind family. This is something that I would add to the lesson.