Brass and Woodwind Musical Instruments Key Terms

Learn brass and woodwind instruments key terms to gain knowledge and improve performances

By Rachel Davy, Writer/Editor

All musicians and music store personnel need to know the key terms for brass and woodwind instruments since there is more to playing an instrument well than the ability to read music. Learning how an instrument works and why, along with the names of each of its parts, will improve the skill of those who play and sell instruments. Take the time to learn the key term names for the parts of brass and woodwind musical instruments to ensure success as a salesperson or a performer.

Bell

The bell of a brass or woodwind instrument is the flared end of the instrument. Air is blown through the mouthpiece and projected out of the bell to produce music. The bell can be small, as in the case of a clarinet, narrow like a bassoon, or large like a French horn, tuba or sousaphone.
Try: Read the information about trumpet bells at Cannonball Music.

Reeds

Reeds are pieces of wood used in some woodwind instrument mouthpieces. Reeds should be moist or they'll cause the instrument's sound to be shrill or off-pitch. There are single-reed instruments, such as clarinets and saxophones; double-reed instruments, such as bassoons and oboes; and capped-reed instruments, such as bagpipes.
Try: Get information about oboe reeds and how to create and care for them at Making Oboe Reeds.

Spit Valve

A spit valve is a button on brass instruments used to release moisture that has built up inside of the instrument. Emptying a spit valve regularly is good for an instrument's sound quality. Using the spit valve is an essential part of making beautiful music.
Try: Learn how to clean and dry French horn spit valves at Gracewinds Music.

Valves and Slides

Valves are buttons that change the pitch of music. When pressed down, the music notes become lower because lengthening the instrument causes the notes to go down in tone. Instruments that use valves include trumpets and cornets. The trombone slide works like a valve. When a musician pushes out the trombone slide, it plays different notes. This feature makes it distinct from other brass instruments.
Try: Use the information from the Sound Junction to learn about the trombone slide.

Mouthpiece

The mouthpiece of a woodwind or brass instrument is the area where musicians places their lips to blow air through the instrument. The mouthpieces are different for brass and woodwind instruments. Brass instruments have a round mouthpiece where musicians have to press their lips tightly pressed together to produce a sound, while woodwind mouthpieces are placed in the mouth with a reed that must be kept moist with their lips slightly apart.
Try: Learn about brass mouthpieces from ProWinds.

Finger Buttons

Finger buttons are the buttons that are pushed down on brass and woodwind instruments to play different notes. All brass instruments have finger buttons, but not all woodwind instruments have buttons. Flutes and piccolos don't, while clarinets and saxophones do.
Try: Learn about finger buttons from Mouth Piece Express.