There will be a number of foreign instrument names you will be
asked to translate. You should also be familiar with foreign key
names.
Know yer woodwind transpositions. There will be SOMEthing for
everyone on the test ...
Be able to describe acceptable embouchures (plus differences
between sax/clar., e.g.) and instrument holding positions for all of
the woodwinds we have studied.
Know how each instrument is initially tuned, as well as how tuning
adjustments are made during performance.
Know yer double-reed stuff: whether soft/hard double reeds
play sharp/flat, etc., etc.
Know hand positions for all the instruments, including finger
positioning when keys are not depressed.
Be able to describe the characteristic finger shapes for all
the ww instruments. Of course, one differs from the others.
Know the function of the second octave key on semi-automatic oboes,
and which notes are affected.
Know the keys in which each of the woodwind instruments is
manufactured, including the various instrument family members.
E.g., Eb alto saxophone, Bb tenor saxophone, etc.
Be able to name an acceptable brand or two for each woodwind
instrument.
Know why the Eb key is depressed for most notes on the
flute.
Know the advantages/disadvantages of the open-hole flute for a
beginner/advanced player.
Know the principles involved re changes in the flute airstream and
aperture for the various registers.
Know what clarinet and saxophone reed strengths are acceptable.
Know what could cause squeaking on a single-reed instrument.
(There are many causes.)
Know yer single-reed stuff: qualities of a good reed, vacuum
warpage test, areas to be scraped, areas not to be scraped, proper
reed storage, reed adjustments, etc.
Be able to name the parts of a single reed.
A number of emergency repair situations will be given, and you will
be asked to describe what you would do to rectify each problem.
Oh no, the old fingering thing rears its ugly head once again
... You will be asked to provide fingerings for certain notes on
flute, clarinet and saxophone.
Know the general time frame when many strides were made in the
technical development of many woodwind instruments. (This will
be multiple choice.)
