- 2 Flutes

- 2 Oboes

- 2 Clarinets

- 2 Bassoons

- 2 Flutes, 1 Piccolo

- 2 Oboes, 1 English Horn

- 2 Clarinets, 1 Bass Clarinet

- 2 Bassoons, 1 Contrabassoon

- 3 Flutes, 1 Piccolo

- 3 Oboes, 1 English Horn

- 3 Clarinets, 1 Bass Clarinet

- 3 Bassoons, 1 Contrabassoon

-Generally, two instruments of the same type are written in the same staff. For example, two flutes will be on one staff.

-In the case above, the first flute will have stems up and the second flute will have stems down.

-A'2 ("a due") will be notated if the two instruments were meant to be played in unison (same melody in the same octave).

-Notating the number 1 or the number 2 over a passage determines which instrument (first or second) was intended to play the passage.

-When dividing sections in the woodwind family, don't use "divisi" (as that's mainly intended for strings).

-The instruments of the Flute family are highly agile and sensitive. Below are the ranges and descriptions of their sounds.

-The piccolo has the same registral characteristics but is transposed an octave higher than written.

-Often the first flautist of the orchestra will double on a piccolo.

-Most flutes can actually play the B below Middle C by use of a “B foot” mechanism.

-Flutes are “C instruments” meaning they do not transpose. The note you see is the note you get.

-The alto flute is a transposing instrument. It play a P4 lower than written. So a written C = sounding G.

-The bass flute play the same range as a standard flute but plays an octave lower than written.

-The oboe’s most effect range is from F to high C of the treble clef. In this range it sounds warm and reedy. Below it can sound thick, and doesn’t carry well. Above it can sound thin and pinched.

-In its higher ranges, softer dynamics are not possible.

-Extremely fast repeated notes are not particularly idiomatic.

-The English horn (Cor Anglais) is a transposing instrumnet. Transposes down a P5 (from C to F). Otherwise has the same range as the oboe.

-The oboe d’amore transposes down a minor 3rd (from C to A). It has a bulb like bell at the end and produces a gentler sound than the standard oboe.

-Clarinets can play in any range at any dynamic.

-The lowest written note on all clarinets is E3. But the clarinet is transposing.

-The Bb and Eb clarinets are best for flat keys.

-The A and D clarinets are best for sharp keys.

-The Eb clarinet sounds a minor 3rd above written. Makes a great high solo instrument.

-The clarinet takes more breath to play, so frequent rests should be given when composing lines.

-The bass clarinet is written in treble clef like all clarinets, but sound an octave +M2 below written (so like a Bb clarinet, but an octave below that).

-The saxophone family ranges are very much like those of the clarinet.

-The soprano saxophone is transposed to the Eb a m3 up from middle C.

-The alto saxophone is transposed to the Eb a M6th down from middle C.

-The tenor saxophone is transposed to the Bb a M9 down from middle C.

-The baritone saxophone is transposed to the Eb a M13 down from middle C.

-The bassoon is the bass instrument of the woodwind section, and is written in bass clef (also sometimes tenor clef).

-All bass intruments are C instruments (non transposed).

-The contrabassoon transposes an octave below the bassoon and is the lowest sounding instrument in the orchestra.

PROVIDER OF MELODY- The woodwinds work very well for melody. If the strings have been taking the lead for a bit, consider passing the role over to the woodwinds.

-Unison doubling is a useful technique. Note that a2 (unison doubling) changes the timbre of winds as much as strengthens the part.

-Octave doubling can often more effective than unison doubling.

HARMONIC ACCOMPANIMENT-Winds often provide pedal style accompaniment in chords.

-Overlapping wind instruments from highest to lowest is most common. But be sure prominent melody note is in a good register for the instrument.

-Interlocking chords is the most creative way of writing chords in winds, but be careful of the registers.

-These same principles should be used with multiples for each instrument.

AS A CONTRASTING COLOR- One obvious use of the winds is to provide color that contrasts with the string section. Also consider using the woodwinds to double the strings.

-The lecture notes for this episode drew from a number of texts and sources. Among them, "The Study Orchestration"
by Samual Adler, comes highly recommended.