Class Woodwinds I

Through lectures, demonstrations and group practice, students will become familiar with the most common woodwind instruments from the flute and clarinet families. Students will be issued instruments from the College’s collection, and will be taught basic playing techniques on three instruments. This will include instruction on proper playing position, breathing, embouchure, articulation, fingering, tone and intonation. Students will also be expected to understand basic maintenance of the instruments, and will be expected to clean and lubricate the instruments they have borrowed before returning them.

As it is impossible to become proficient on a number of instruments in a single semester, students will be expected to understand theoretical concepts that go beyond their personal playing abilities. Understanding the limitations and possibilities of the instruments will be valuable later on; written tests will evaluate the student’s understanding of this information.