4 Writing and Sequencing for the Woodwind Section
4.1 General Characteristics
The woodwind instruments, as a section, offer the greatest diversity with regard to tone color. This is advantageous regarding expression and variety, but is challenging when a homogenized sound is desired. The challenge is greatest when working within a harmonic framework but is easiest when the harmony is assigned to one color group, for example three flutes, each playing one note of a triad. The woodwind instruments are at their best when featured playing independent lines. It is wonderful to hear, for example, a melody initially carried by a solo flute, picked up by a solo clarinet, and then transferred to a bassoon. Other times there may be a counterline ...
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