Wind instruments are more complex than you may think. For ages, they have been used to warn people, entertain people, and comfort them. The mechanical aspect of most wind musical instruments is outstanding. You just have to appreciate the engineering and sophistication exhibited by some of the world’s renowned musical instruments.
You cannot imagine what goes on in a wind instrument for a person to blow air in one end and what comes out of the other end to be pure magic! Most inspirational music tracks, music concerts, and bands could not be complete without one or several wind instruments.
Adolphe Sax, the guy who invented the first saxophone will in no doubt, if he were alive today, be surprised by how much we have accomplished from his creation. But there’s more to wind instruments than meets the eye.
Here’s everything you need to know about wind instruments.
1. Types of Wind Instruments
There are different types of wind instruments and this means that you can also expect that different wind instruments produce different sounds. Wind instruments can be classified into two major categories; brass wind instruments and woodwind instruments:
2. Learning to Play a Wind Instrument
Adolphe Sax, the guy who invented the first saxophone will in no doubt, if he were alive today, be surprised by how much we have accomplished from his creation. But there’s more to wind instruments than meets the eye.
Here’s everything you need to know about wind instruments.
1. Types of Wind Instruments
There are different types of wind instruments and this means that you can also expect that different wind instruments produce different sounds. Wind instruments can be classified into two major categories; brass wind instruments and woodwind instruments:
- Brasswind instruments – As the name suggests, brass instruments are made entirely out of brass or metal. Examples of brass instruments include trumpet, tuba, trombone, cornet, euphonium, etc.
- Woodwind instruments – It’s as the name suggests. Woodwind instruments are made entirely of wood or a combination of both wood and metal. Woodwind instruments, unlike brass instruments, don’t require a lot of air to produce sound because of the valves and keys found on both sides of the instruments. Examples of woodwind instruments include flute, oboe, English horn, clarinets, bassoon, etc.
2. Learning to Play a Wind Instrument
The first thing you’ll need to do is develop an interest in one or more wind instruments. This involves picking an instrument you know you can be good at playing, and as you can see from the above pointer, there are so many options to choose from. Next, you’ll need to join a music class or hire a personal trainer.
Here, you’ll learn the basics about how to handle your instrument, how to store your instrument, how to care for your instrument, and then how to play your instrument. The length of time it takes to learn a wind instrument will be dependent on your interest to learn the instrument, the time you dedicate each day to learn the instrument, and the type of instrument you choose to play. According to the guys at musicaroo.com, there are also various ways you can improve or magnify the sound from your wind instrument. This may involve utilizing adaptable dynamic mics that clip on your wind instrument. These mics will give you a lot of freedom when playing your wind instrument rather than having to stand before a mounted mic. In addition to this, you can also invest in sound recording gadgets whenever you feel like you want to record yourself playing.
3. Hygiene
Of course, playing a wind instrument can be soothing and a great way to bring you joy. Now, if you are in a band and have to share a wind instrument, you must take precautionary measures and practice high levels of hygiene. This is because as you may be aware, playing a wind instrument requires that you place your mouth on one end and blow in the air. While you can’t catch an STI from a wind instrument, you can still be infected by bacterial and fungal diseases. Borrowing a wind instrument can affect your health if it’s not properly cleaned. So, before using a borrowed wind instrument, ensure that it’s clean and sanitized.
4. Health Benefits Associated With Wind Instruments
Here, you’ll learn the basics about how to handle your instrument, how to store your instrument, how to care for your instrument, and then how to play your instrument. The length of time it takes to learn a wind instrument will be dependent on your interest to learn the instrument, the time you dedicate each day to learn the instrument, and the type of instrument you choose to play. According to the guys at musicaroo.com, there are also various ways you can improve or magnify the sound from your wind instrument. This may involve utilizing adaptable dynamic mics that clip on your wind instrument. These mics will give you a lot of freedom when playing your wind instrument rather than having to stand before a mounted mic. In addition to this, you can also invest in sound recording gadgets whenever you feel like you want to record yourself playing.
3. Hygiene
Of course, playing a wind instrument can be soothing and a great way to bring you joy. Now, if you are in a band and have to share a wind instrument, you must take precautionary measures and practice high levels of hygiene. This is because as you may be aware, playing a wind instrument requires that you place your mouth on one end and blow in the air. While you can’t catch an STI from a wind instrument, you can still be infected by bacterial and fungal diseases. Borrowing a wind instrument can affect your health if it’s not properly cleaned. So, before using a borrowed wind instrument, ensure that it’s clean and sanitized.
4. Health Benefits Associated With Wind Instruments
Wind instruments can give you the satisfaction that comes from making great musical notes. It’s also a great platform for you to vent your anger and frustrations. But there’s also another side of playing a wind instrument. There are several health benefits associated with playing a wind instrument and they include:
5. Care and Maintenance
The minute you invest in a wind instrument or ideally, start playing a wind instrument, you’ll be expected to ensure that it’s properly taken care of and well maintained. This will help improve the instrument's longevity while at the same time minimizing constant repair costs. Let’s take a look at some care and maintenance tips to practice on your wind instrument:
Finally, a wind instrument can be a great addition to your life as well as to that of others. Playing a wind instrument can soothe people’s souls, entertain them, and in the process, you can get some satisfaction that comes from their applause. No matter the instrument you choose, take care of it religiously and practice tirelessly, and you’ll be well on your way to creating music that expresses the inner you.
- Strengthening your core muscles
- Improve your breathing
- Refining your ear for music and improving your skills
- Help you in fighting depression
5. Care and Maintenance
The minute you invest in a wind instrument or ideally, start playing a wind instrument, you’ll be expected to ensure that it’s properly taken care of and well maintained. This will help improve the instrument's longevity while at the same time minimizing constant repair costs. Let’s take a look at some care and maintenance tips to practice on your wind instrument:
- Learn how to disassemble and assemble your instrument
- Store your instrument and its accessories properly
- Never place objects on top of your wind instrument
- Store your instrument in humidity-free and cool areas, and at all times, ensure that your instrument is dry
- Only use the right cleaning products and carefully follow the provided cleaning instructions from the manufacturer
Finally, a wind instrument can be a great addition to your life as well as to that of others. Playing a wind instrument can soothe people’s souls, entertain them, and in the process, you can get some satisfaction that comes from their applause. No matter the instrument you choose, take care of it religiously and practice tirelessly, and you’ll be well on your way to creating music that expresses the inner you.
