Current Events > Brass or Woodwinds: Which Instrument Group Sounds Best?

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Im curious to hear everyones thoughts between the brass and woodwind families, which do you think sounds the best? Both groups have such unique qualities and bring so much character to music. Lets start the debate! (Ill tackle strings vs. percussion in the next post, so stay tuned!)

Each group has its strength brass instruments often project power, majesty, and a bold, resonant sound, while woodwinds bring a wide range of tones from the warm and mellow clarinet to the airy elegance of the flute or the jazzy vibe of the saxophone.

So which one?

Woodwind, but I'm biased because I played alto sax in middle school band.

What a good question. I don't expect to see those on CE.

Everyone loves a good brass section (brass bands, not so much), but the sax and clarinet take this.

https://youtu.be/YT_63UntRJE

For me Woodwinds for the win for two reasons. First, we have the Bassoon which, lets be honest, is just one of the greatest instruments ever. Its rich, deep tones add so much character and emotion to any piece of music.

Second, theres the Saxophone family. Saxes are incredible because they can bridge the gap between brass and woodwinds, giving you the best of both worlds. They have the power and boldness of brass while still maintaining the smoothness and versatility of woodwind. The saxophone was so revolutionary that it shook up the music world. In fact, early orchestras were hesitant to adopt it because it was just too good. Many feared it could overshadow other instruments, which is why Adolphe creation was banned in certain classical settings. It was ahead of its time!

Southernfatman posted...

Woodwind, but I'm biased because I played alto sax in middle school band.

... fuckin' word-for-word exactly this

Woodwinds sound better, but brass instruments are more important.

That is too dificult for me. I cannot say that I have a preference in terms of music.

I played harmonica when I around 10. (Piano lessons since 5) and I play ocarina now, sometimes. Woodwinds are more of a folk instrument.

Strings, gdi
>_<

Nevertheless, of the two major aerophone instrument classes, I prefer woodwinds.

Strings > Percussion > Woodwinds > Brass

Southernfatman posted...

Woodwind, but I'm biased because I played alto sax in middle school band.

Sort of this except I don't actually like how the saxophone sounds I like basically every other woodwind more <_<

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


I think the world loses more in a world where brass doesn't exist than one in which woodwinds don't. Woodwinds individually sound more pleasing to my ear, but the versatility of brass instruments would leave a huge hole across many genres.

Double reeds FTW.

TC, I play the bassoon! I dislike saxophones, though, except bari sax. So I cant really vote for woodwinds in your poll.

Sariana21 posted...

Double reeds FTW.

TC, I play the bassoon! I dislike saxophones, though, except bari sax. So I cant really vote for woodwinds in your poll.

You double reed people are always the fancy people of the woodwinds. And then you are saxist tsk tsk tsk.

Brass has brightness. Woodwinds have warmth. It's really a matter of personal preference, but I prefer brass.
.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Fight the good fight. :)

I played Trumpet back in the day. First chair, section leader even.

Go 2 hell woodwinds

I played baritone, but the French Horn can sound so good

Gotta give some biased love to brass, even though I don't want to choose. Take the sax out of the equation and brass stomps, though.

Well, in an ensemble, they all have their own place (that's the point), so I guess I'll go by solo potential.

The flute positively smokes the rest of the winds when it comes to solos, with sax and euph in distant second. Trumpet, trombone, oboe and bassoon all have their little niches for soloing but everyone else should just stick to supporting the ensemble.

It's not a bad thing to support the ensemble, mind you. I freaking love those moments where the French horn gets a massive crescendo or a huge interval, or everyone gets like three beats of rest except the bass clarinet, or etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7dg8vRDM68

The glory of brass tell you whut

cjsdowg posted...

You double reed people are always the fancy people of the woodwinds. And then you are saxist tsk tsk tsk.

Lol. In my defense, I did play alto saxophone briefly. But Im not into jazz, and sax is a jazz instrument. I lean toward a more classical sound, and saxophone is a more modern instrument. A whole section of saxes in a concert band is good; I just dont favor solo sax.

The Grinch song is a love ballad to bass clarinet and bassoon, though.

vs

Saxophones > brass > the rest of woodwinds

As a solo performance probably woodwinds. As part of a band or orchestra, definitely brass.

Theremin

Sorry, there's just so many otherwise-good 80s songs ruined by the ubiquitous sax solo. It taints the whole section.

tankboy posted...

Sorry, there's just so many otherwise-good 80s songs ruined by the ubiquitous sax solo. It taints the whole section.

Tim Cappello will be by shortly to confiscate your fingers.

tankboy posted...

Sorry, there's just so many otherwise-good 80s songs ruined by the ubiquitous sax solo. It taints the whole section.

Hazel O'Connor's Will You more than makes up for that.

https://youtu.be/Ou96vLl--e4

tankboy posted...

Sorry, there's just so many otherwise-good 80s songs ruined by the ubiquitous sax solo. It taints the whole section.

Winner winner chicken dinner

I marched trombone so I'm biased. (Played double bass in the spring)

MrResetti posted...

I marched trombone so I'm biased. (Played double bass in the spring)

I play multiple instruments in both families, so Im biased both ways.

Oh, no, Im a centrist!

Brass. Played tuba. Easiest instrument in the world. Such fun though.

As a person who plays the saxophone and stupidly turned down a potential career playing it in my youth I'm completely unbiased in voting woodwind here.

Sariana21 posted...

I play multiple instruments in both families, so Im biased both ways.

Oh, no, Im a centrist!

Both sides

ReturnOfDevsman posted...

Both sides

"I like the slide whistle and trombone equally."
"BOTH SLIDES"

tankboy posted...

Sorry, there's just so many otherwise-good 80s songs ruined by the ubiquitous sax solo. It taints the whole section.

The Lost Boys (1987) "Sax Man" would like to have a word with you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpuwcINDHnQ

ITT, whoever did this this remix is a Sax-maniac. lol :P

Kaldrenthebold posted...

I played Trumpet back in the day. First chair, section leader even.

Go 2 hell woodwinds

Woodwinds kick brass ass.

I am biased towards brass, because of all the big band and jazz my dad listened to in the car... And also because of gen 3's soundfont.

Strings > Brass Woodwind

Brass
Woodwind

And I'm just kidding and being dumb here.