Topmusicanswers
An open hole anywhere along the middle of the pipe shortens the pipe's effective length and therefore raises the pitch of the notes it produces. The closer an open hole is to the blowing end, the shorter the remaining effective length is and the more it raises the pitch.
- Why do wind instruments have holes?
- Do all woodwind instruments have a pipe with holes?
- Where do you put holes in a flute?
- What happens when you cover the holes on a woodwind instrument?
Why do wind instruments have holes?
In reed instruments, there is an octave hole or register hole which helps obtain the higher notes. Its purpose is to open up the tube to the outside air at or near one of the points where the air pressure should be atmospheric for the high vibrations.
Do all woodwind instruments have a pipe with holes?
The Woodwind Family. The instruments in this family all used to be made of wood, which gives them their name. Today, they are made of wood, metal, plastic or some combination. They are all basically narrow cylinders or pipes, with holes, an opening at the bottom end and a mouthpiece at the top.
Where do you put holes in a flute?
Where to Put the Holes for a Flute
- A hole will give a higher note if it is placed closer to the mouthhole. It will give a lower note if placed farther away.
- A hole will give a higher note if made larger. It will give a lower note if smaller.
What happens when you cover the holes on a woodwind instrument?
A larger volume vibrates more slowly, for lower pitch; a smaller volume vibrates more quickly, for a higher pitch. For most woodwinds, the player changes pitch by opening and closing holes along the instrument's length. Closing more holes makes the instrument longer, making the notes lower.
