Basic woodwind techniques involve mastering hand-positioning so the musician can properly hold the instrument while reaching all necessary holes or keys. Assembling and dismantling the instrument is also essential to appropriately playing and maintaining the instrument.
Fingering and tone quality are intermediate and advanced woodwind techniques. These techniques enable musicians to play the instrument and strike the right key. Musical articulation is the technique of making notes crisp and precise.
All woodwind players must learn circular breathing. The circular breathing technique requires the player to fill his cheeks with air and blow into the mouth piece. As cheeks thin and air dissipates, the player inhales through the nose and forces that air into his mouth -- thus refilling his cheeks with a reserve of air.