Oboe Oboe
The oboe is the smaller of the double reed instruments in the band. A double reed instrument is so called because it is played by blowing down a tube made between 2 pieces of cane. Other instruments in the group include the bassoon, cor anglais (English horn), and bagpipes.
The oboe can sound melancholy and expressive, especially when playing low notes, and is often used to play sad or emotional melodies, but it can also be bright and forceful when playing higher notes. The more piercing notes can cut across the entire band.
Within the band, the oboe often has many beautiful solos. It is usually used to tune the band or orchestra. There are usually both a first and a second oboe player.
Oboes are usually made of wood, with metal keys.
Fact: The oboe was one of the first woodwind instruments to have a regular place in the classical orchestra. When the modern concert band began to develop, bands inherited the oboe as part of their instrumentation. Because its pitch does not vary much with temperature, the oboe sounds the concert-Bb note (concert A in an orchestra), to which all other instruments adjust their tuning.
The oboe is the smaller of the double reed instruments in the band. A double reed instrument is so called because it is played by blowing down a tube made between 2 pieces of cane. Other instruments in the group include the bassoon, cor anglais (English horn), and bagpipes.
The oboe can sound melancholy and expressive, especially when playing low notes, and is often used to play sad or emotional melodies, but it can also be bright and forceful when playing higher notes. The more piercing notes can cut across the entire band.
Within the band, the oboe often has many beautiful solos. It is usually used to tune the band or orchestra. There are usually both a first and a second oboe player.
Oboes are usually made of wood, with metal keys.
Fact: The oboe was one of the first woodwind instruments to have a regular place in the classical orchestra. When the modern concert band began to develop, bands inherited the oboe as part of their instrumentation. Because its pitch does not vary much with temperature, the oboe sounds the concert-Bb note (concert A in an orchestra), to which all other instruments adjust their tuning.
Bassoon Bassoon
The bassoon is the largest double reed instrument found in the band.
Falling in between the upper-woodwinds and the bass brass section, the bassoon often has intricate harmony parts and the odd exposed section where the unique timbre of the bassoon sound can be easily heard. There are great differences in sound across the registers on the bassoon, from full and sonorous in the lower notes, to melodious and elegant in the middle and haunting at the top of its range.
It is well suited to playing quick staccato (short) notes, and is frequently used for comedy effects.
Most band music has both a first and a second bassoon part. It always seems to be a constant struggle to find bassoonists to play in the band - there simply aren't many of them around.
Bassoons consist of several sections of wood, which join together to make an instrument that is 1.35m long but if unwound would be over 2.5m in length.
Fact: The Italians call the bassoon a "fagotto", meaning "bundle of sticks".
The bassoon is the largest double reed instrument found in the band.
Falling in between the upper-woodwinds and the bass brass section, the bassoon often has intricate harmony parts and the odd exposed section where the unique timbre of the bassoon sound can be easily heard. There are great differences in sound across the registers on the bassoon, from full and sonorous in the lower notes, to melodious and elegant in the middle and haunting at the top of its range.
It is well suited to playing quick staccato (short) notes, and is frequently used for comedy effects.
Most band music has both a first and a second bassoon part. It always seems to be a constant struggle to find bassoonists to play in the band - there simply aren't many of them around.
Bassoons consist of several sections of wood, which join together to make an instrument that is 1.35m long but if unwound would be over 2.5m in length.
Fact: The Italians call the bassoon a "fagotto", meaning "bundle of sticks".
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