Editing Overblowing (section)

== Characteristics ==
In simple woodwind instruments, overblowing can cause the pitch to change into a different [[register (music)|register]]. For example, a player of the [[tin whistle]] can play in the upper octave by blowing harder while using the same fingering as in the lower octave.

In [[brass instrument]]s, overblowing (sometimes combined with tightening of the embouchure) produces a different harmonic.

In beating, or striking, reed wind instruments such as the saxophone, clarinet, and oboe, the transition from lower to higher register is aided by a "register key" which encourages a vibration node at a particular point in the pipe such that a higher harmonic is produced.

Another type of overblowing is that used on instruments such as the [[transverse flute]], where the ''direction'' of the airstream is altered in order to sound higher notes. This technique can also be demonstrated when blowing across the top of a glass bottle (beer bottle, wine bottle, etc.) to produce a pitch.

''Overblowing'' can also mean blowing too hard merely in order to hear oneself. For example, on a stage with amplified instruments and an inadequate monitoring system,  a saxophone player may just blow harder than they would otherwise want to, the result being a worse sound and often worse intonation or unwanted overtones.