Menzie Pittman: Hi! I am Menzie Pittman with the National Association of Music Merchants. We are going to talk about how to select an instrument, and first we are going to talk about the woodwind family. [Music Playing]Let's begin with flute. Flute is the only member of the woodwind family that does not use a reed. Flute has a light, whimsical, and airy sound, but plays a very melodic role in the orchestra. If you find that these characteristics sound good to you, flute could be a good choice.

Next, let's visit clarinet. Clarinet has a very warm and woody tone. My favorite characteristic about clarinet is how many different styles of music it can be used in; whether it be Dixieland, jazz, or orchestral, clarinet's wide range of personality is one that gives us lots of opportunity for a performance. If those characteristics sound good to you, clarinet could be your choice.

Let's visit the sax family.

[Music Playing]This is one of my favorite families of instruments because of all the diversification. Sax can be an aggressive instrument in solos or can be warm and supportive in the melody line, depending on the type of music that it's being played. If you want to play jazz, orchestral, or pop, if you find that you like the idea of soloing, as well as the support role and wonderful tone, sax could be the perfect choice for you.

[Music Playing]So we have visited a couple of members of the woodwind family, some with reeds, some not; flute, no reed; saxophone, definitely a reed; lots of choices, lots of colors, lots of opportunity of styles. If this sounds like it fits you, the woodwind family could be a good start. Enjoy!