The recorder is one of the oldest existing instruments and it has not lost its appeal to this day. It can be used as a solo instrument and in various ensembles in early music (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque) as well as in contemporary music (20th and 21st centuries). Over the centuries, a large family of recorders has developed, of which - unlike string instruments - you learn several if you decide to play this instrument. The smaller soprano recorder is usually the first choice, especially for younger children. Beyond that, there is a lot to discover from sopranino to contrabass recorder - and particularly large recorders can also be borrowed from the music school for projects!

Starting age: from 5 years
Types of lessons: Individual, partner and small group lessons
You must purchase your own instrument
Locations: All

The "sister" of the recorder is the modern transverse flute. The mouthpiece of this flute, which developed from the baroque transverse flute, is attached to the side. Until the 19th century, transverse flutes were only made of wood, which is why today's transverse flutes, which are predominantly made of metal, are also woodwind instruments. As with recorders, the transverse flute also has "family members", namely piccolo, alto, bass and contrabass flutes. The transverse flutes are a versatile family: sometimes virtuoso, sometimes dreamy, sometimes they can be heard in classical formations, sometimes in jazz and pop.

Starting age: from 7 years
Types of lessons: Individual and partner lessons
Instruments on loan: available
Locations: All

The oboe is called "hautbois", or "high wood", in France, where it was first used in the 17th century. The oboe is played with a so-called double reed and its high, clear tones penetrate a symphony orchestra effortlessly. Composers have written haunting orchestral passages for the oboe - for example, the oboe is heard in Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake" when the enchanted swans dance. There are children's oboes for the first steps with the oboe, which are less difficult and somewhat smaller.

Starting age: from 8 years
Types of lessons: Individual and partner lessons
Individual instruments on loan: available
Locations: All

Clarinets have been around since the beginning of the 18th century. In contrast to the oboe, they are played with a flat reed. Their range is powerful - experienced players can elicit up to four octaves from their instrument. The sound colors of the clarinet are just as varied as the styles in which it is used. Clarinets can be heard in classical and romantic orchestral works, but also in jazz, klezmer and brass music.

Starting age: from 7 years
Types of lessons: Individual and partner lessons
Instruments on loan: available
Locations: All

The bassoon is the deepest of the woodwind instruments. To make it sound so deep, it has a 2.60 meter long reed that has to be bent once to fit into the body of the bassoon. As with the oboe, the sound of this instrument is produced by a double reed made from two pieces of reed bound together. The bassoon has a very special, dark sound and is an important part of the wind section in the symphony orchestra. Mozart was particularly fond of the soft, deep sound, which is reflected in his symphonies, piano concertos and operas. But the characteristic sound is also used time and again in pop, rock and jazz. There are almost always too few bassoonists, so they are in great demand in orchestras and ensembles. Because the fingers are still too small for the bassoon at a young age, the bassoonino was developed for children from the age of seven.

Starting age: from 8 years
Types of lessons: Individual and partner lessons
Instruments on loan: available
Locations: Bad Godesberg, Dransdorf, Hardtberg

The saxophone is also a woodwind instrument, although it is made entirely of metal. However, as with the clarinet, the sound is produced with the help of a reed that is stretched over the headjoint. Since the emergence of jazz in New Orleans, the saxophone, with its warm, versatile yet powerful sound, has been one of the most important instruments in this style of music. Although its inventor, the Belgian Adolphe Sax, had not intended the new instrument for this purpose at all, but for so-called classical music. Although the saxophone is at home in jazz, there are therefore a whole series of chamber music works or orchestral pieces in which the saxophone is used more like a traditional orchestral instrument.

Starting age: from 8 years
Teaching methods: Individual and partner lessons
Instruments on loan: available
Locations: Bad Godesberg, Beuel, Hardtberg