Mouthpiece (woodwind) facts for kids
The mouthpiece of a woodwind instrument is the part where a musician blows air to make sound. It's a very important piece because its shape and size can greatly change how the instrument sounds. Different types of woodwind instruments use different kinds of mouthpieces.
Single-Reed Instruments
On single-reed instruments like the clarinet or saxophone, the mouthpiece is shaped like a wedge. A thin piece of material called a reed is attached to the mouthpiece. When a player blows air, the reed vibrates very quickly. These vibrations create the sound, which is then made louder by the rest of the instrument.
The inside shape of the mouthpiece can really change the sound. For example, a mouthpiece with a large, round inside will sound very different from one with a small, square inside.
Parts of a Single-Reed Mouthpiece
- Table: This is the flat part of the mouthpiece where the reed sits. It's usually near the player's bottom lip.
- Tip Opening: This is the small space between the very end of the reed and the very end of the mouthpiece. A larger tip opening might make the instrument louder, while a smaller one might make it easier to play softly.
- Facing (or Lay): This is the curved part of the mouthpiece that starts to bend away from the reed. The length of this curve can affect how easily the instrument responds when you blow into it.
- Ligature: This is a clamp or band that holds the reed firmly onto the mouthpiece. Ligatures are often made from metal or plastic. Some musicians even use string to hold the reed in place!
Related Pages
- Mouthpiece (brass), a different type of mouthpiece used for brass instruments.
Images for kids
-
Soprano saxophone mouthpiece
-
A clarinet mouthpiece set up to play with the reed held in place with the ligature
-
The interior chamber of a clarinet mouthpiece showing the straight side walls
-
Pirouette from a ciaramella
