or of no artistic value. The number of sounds obtainable in
the highest compass is indefinite, and depends, partly on
the quality of the instrument itself, partly on the position
and application of the lips. The signs [music symbol:
decrescendo] [music symbol: crescendo] are not to be
mistaken for _crescendo_ and _diminuendo_; they indicate how
the resonance of an instrument increases or diminishes in
relation to the characteristic quality of its timbre. The
scope of greatest expression for each typical instrument is
marked thus, [symbol: horizontal bracket] under the notes; the
range is the same in each instrument of the same type.

Table B. Wind group.

These instruments give all chromatic intervals.

Piccolo.

Flute.

Bass Flute
Alto Fl. _F_, _G_).

Oboe.

English Horn
(Cor anglais, alto oboe _F_).

Small Clarinet
(_E[flat]-D_).

Clarinet
(_B[flat]-A_).

Bass Clarinet
(_B[flat]-A_).

Bassoon
(Fagotto).

Double bassoon
(Contra-fagotto).

[Music]

_Note._ It is a difficult matter to define tone quality in
words; we must encroach upon the domain of sight, feeling,
and even taste. Though borrowed from these senses, I have no
doubt as to the appropriateness of my comparisons, but, as a
general rule definitions drawn from other sources are too
elementary to be applied to music. No condemnatory meaning
however should be attached to my descriptions, for in using
the terms thick, piercing, shrill, dry, etc. my object is to
express _artistic_ fitness in words, rather than material
exactitude. Instrumental sounds which have no musical
meaning are classed by me in the category of _useless
sounds_, and I refer to them as such, giving my reasons.
With the exception of these, the reader is advised to
consider all other orchestral timbres beautiful from an
artistic point of view, although it is necessary, at times,
to put them to other uses.

Further on, a table of wind instruments is appended,
outlining the approximate limit of range, defining different
qualities of tone and indicating the scope of greatest
expression (the piccolo and double bassoon excepted).

Flutes and clarinets are the most flexible wood-wind instruments (the
flutes in particular), but for expressive power and subtlety in
_nuances_ the clarinet supersedes them; this instrument