What is the wind (or woodwind) family?
The wind (or woodwind) family of instruments includes flutes, clarinets, saxophones, oboes, bassoons and recorders, as well as harmonicas, uilleann pipes and bagpipes. Contrary to what the name suggests, all woodwinds are not constructed of wood. For example, concert flutes are usually made out of nickel, plated with silver, and saxophones are usually made from brass. Although, clarinets, oboes, traditional flutes and recorders can be made from wood, they are also often made of ABS plastic. What differentiates a wind instrument from other ‘blown’ instruments – such as ‘ brass instruments’, for example – is how the musician makes the sound. When air flows into the mouthpiece, a sound is created inside a resonator and a column of air vibrates. The volume, pitch and tone of the instrument change as the fingers open/close the holes or press a key.
Which instrument should I choose for myself/my child?
The most important considerations in choosing an instrument are simple ones: Do you / does your child like the sound of it? Are you / is your child excited about learning it? Genuine interest is the key ingredient, but there are other factors that you should take into consideration, including age (see below), the style(s) of music you/your child likes best, etc.
What styles of music are the different wind instruments most suitable for?
The recorder is really best for classical or folk music. Saxophones make tremendous solo instruments and are most suitable for pop, blues, funk and jazz. The clarinet is best for classical and jazz. The flute, like the oboe, is most often heard in classical music, though you will hear it in plenty of jazz and rock music.
At what age should wind instrument lessons begin?
While there is no definitive ‘starting’ age for any instrument, the most important consideration is whether or not a child is physically capable of playing the instrument. Recorder can be started as soon as a child’s fingers are big enough to cover the holes. Other wind instruments should not be started until the child's second set of teeth are through, because pressure is put on the teeth when they are played. A child also needs to be big enough to hold and blow these instruments. Strong lips and good 'puff' are essential. Wind instruments do not normally come in smaller sized equivalents. Where there are smaller sizes (such as the piccolo or soprano saxophone) they are advanced, specialist instruments which play at a higher pitch. For this reason, it is recommended that children begin study of wind instruments (except recorder) after the age of 10 or so.
Once your child has settled on an instrument to play, it is important that they not hop around from instrument to instrument. A child should give an instrument at least one year before deciding to try something else.
Can an adult learn to play a wind instrument?
Yes! Results will not come overnight, and, in fact, the learning process will likely take years to complete. Nevertheless, we must remember that those years will pass by anyways, and being older is not a reason to refuse to undertake it. There is a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction to be had in learning a musical instrument. The New School has adult beginners of all ages learning wind instruments.
What should I look for when purchasing a wind instrument?
One of the most critical factors in you/your child's success is the instrument's quality. Low-quality instruments won't hold up well or as long. But because musical instruments can also get prohibitively expensive, the key is to look for a good quality beginner or ‘student’ instrument rather than a professional one. Because wood is prone to chipping, steer clear of instruments made of wood, at least initially. Waltons Music shops have several recommended wind instruments for students starting tuition at the New School. Go to Recommended Instruments for more information.
What are your teaching methods?
Our teachers generally use a 'traditional' approach, which means they generally incorporate note-reading, musicianship, and technique (instrument-specific skills) into each lesson. Our teachers bring a lot of experience and a range of techniques to bear in their lessons, and their teaching methods are not set in stone. We believe that each student learns best when approached as having unique strengths, weaknesses and learning styles, and each lesson is tailored to the individual student.
Can you prepare me/my child for grade or practical examinations?
Lessons can certainly include preparation for grade examinations with such exam boards as the ABRSM, RIAM and Trinity Guildhall. Our teachers can also prepare you for Junior Cert. and Leaving Cert. Music practical exams.
How should I care for my/my child’s instrument?
Some essentials to remember:
- Keep it dry and clean. Always clean out moisture from each section of the instrument following every use. Also, using a non-treated cloth, wipe down the exterior of the instrument to remove any residue and fingerprints.
- Store it in a controlled environment. Extreme fluctuations in temperature can cause damage to any instrument. And wood, in particular, expands and contracts with temperature changes, which can cause cracks in its structure.
- Never put an object on top of the instrument. Brass and nickel instruments can bend, so be mindful of where you place them and what you place on top of them.
- A few months after the instrument is set up and broken in, bring it back in for a check-up, as it is normal for the materials to come out of adjustment during this time. This type of adjustment should ideally take place every twelve to eighteen months. Or, if the instrument is played often, schedule more regular adjustments.
- We suggest that you also schedule a regular, professional cleaning. Once a year (enter it into your calendar as a reminder), take the instrument to a professional repair technician for cleaning and maintenance. Doing this may prevent future costly repairs. Also, many wind instruments have pads, which provide a perfect seal in order to create the proper note. These pads will need to be replaced once every eight to ten years – a job that requires dismantling the instrument, cleaning it, refitting and tightening the loose parts as well as replacing springs and corks, if required.
What is the purpose of practicing scales?
For a complete beginner, scales help build finger dexterity by giving you something to play that you can work on without being slowed down by reading. They also teach you what notes are found in each key, which makes reading music go more smoothly as you'll cease having to read each note one at a time and start to see patterns within the key.
How can I develop good sight reading skills?
Sight reading is learned by doing, and it takes practice! Being a good sight reader requires a combination of two elements:
- Learning as much music theory, music history and related subjects as possible.
- Practical experience in sight reading. This is acquired by joining as many formal or informal groups as one can locate, and also regularly attending to new music in the home practice.
Three things to keep in mind:
- At the beginning of every piece of music, there are three areas to examine initially: the clef signs, the key signature and the time signature.
- One should also have some general idea about the style period.
- Glance through the piece if you have time and look at the form and chord structures. Determine, at a minimum, whether it is in a major or minor key, and note any development or recapitulation materials.
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