Bois

As Printed on a Score

French for the woodwinds as a group (les Bois), seen in instrument lists and collective directions rather than as a staff label. Elsewhere the word means wood: avec le bois (de l’archet) is col legno on a string part, and baguettes de bois are wooden sticks for percussion — so check who the direction is addressed to.

How Composers Use It

Use it when one instruction serves every woodwind player — a collective dynamic, a breath, a balance note. When only some are meant, name them (flûtes, hautbois, clarinettes, bassons); a direction to les Bois is read by everyone, including the players doubling piccolo, cor anglais or bass clarinet.

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