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Glite Dictionary
reed section

reed section

4.4
A group of players in a band or orchestra who play clarinets and saxophones
  • noun
  • /rid ˈsɛkʃən/
translation icon : sección de maderas
  • The jazz band's reed section includes saxophones, clarinets, and a bassoon.

Examples

  • The reed section performed beautifully during the concert.

  • The reed section played a beautiful harmony during the concert.

  • We need another clarinet player for the reed section in the school orchestra.

  • Is the reed section ready for the rehearsal?

  • The reed section added a rich, warm sound to the orchestra's performance.

  • During the concert, the reed section showcased their skill with a beautiful melody.

  • The conductor signaled for the reed section to play their passages softly to blend with the strings.

Surface Forms

reed section singular
reed sections plural

Morphology

reed + section

The meaning is directly compositionally derived from 'reed' (reed instruments) + 'section' (a group or department), i.e. the group of reed players in an ensemble. This is a transparent, productivity-based naming pattern found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun reed section comes from the thin wooden piece called a reed that makes sound in clarinets and saxophones, and section meaning 'a group'. So it means the group of musicians who play those reed instruments.