Klarinet Archive - Posting 000841.txt from 1995/05

From: Ed Pearlstein <e_p@-----.EDU>
Subj: Terminology: brass or woodwind
Date: Tue, 30 May 1995 14:32:30 -0400

There has been some discussion here over just what is to be called
a "brass" instrument, and what is to be called "woodwind". Among
acousticians, the distinction is made by what the primary vibrator
is: If it's the lips of the player, the instrument is called brass.
If it's a reed, or an air jet (as in the flutes), then the instrument is
called a woodwind. (Note that under these definitions, the pipe organ
would be called a woodwind.) In the brass instruments, the vibrator (lips)
is very massive, and therefore exerts a larger control over the pitch
than in the case of the woodwinds, where the vibrator is comparatively
light. (Note that it's very hard to play bugle calls, no fingers changed,
on a clarinet!)