Podcast Summary:

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Episode: What's an oboe? How does a flute work? What’s a viola?
Date: November 28, 2025
Host: Jane Lindholm (Vermont Public)
Guests:

• Melissa Mealins, Flutist (Vermont Symphony Orchestra)
• Katie Oprea, Oboist (Vermont Symphony Orchestra)
• Stephanie Taylor, Violist (Vermont Symphony Orchestra)
• Live Kid Audience

Episode Overview

This special live episode, recorded at Vermont Public studios for Curious Kids Day, dives into the fascinating world of orchestral instruments: flute, oboe, and viola. Joined by professional musicians from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and an inquisitive live audience of children, host Jane Lindholm guides listeners through how these instruments work, how musicians learn and practice, and why music is so meaningful to people of all ages.

Flute: Sounds, Techniques, and Inspiration

Guest: Melissa Mealins

Key Points & Insights

• How a Flute Works:

  • You blow across the hole at the top; it’s like “slurping a spaghetti noodle—if you think about taking the noodle back out, that’s kind of how I do it on the flute.” (Melissa Mealins, 02:45)
  • The shape of your mouth ("embouchure") is crucial for producing a clear sound. “If you say the word ‘pool,’ the shape of your mouth helps make the right sound.” (03:11, 03:32)

• Anatomy of the Flute:

  • Flute consists of three pieces: head joint (produces sound even by itself), body (contains most keys), and foot joint (makes it longer).

• Changing Notes:

  • Different keys and finger positions change the pitch, with lower notes requiring more fingers down.

• Practice & Musicianship:

  • Melissa started with violin at four and explored piano and clarinet before choosing flute in 6th grade.
  • Practices 2+ hours/day, more when teaching or performing: “It’s like a sport… you don’t just suddenly go and run 25 miles.” (07:44)

• Special Flute Techniques:

  • Extended techniques include “flutter tonguing” (growling into the instrument) and using the tongue to articulate notes.
  • She can play music from centuries ago to today, and sometimes music by pop stars for fun.

• Piccolo:

  • “A piccolo is a smaller version of the flute that sounds one octave higher…If I played it here right now, everyone would be shaken out of their boots!” (10:49)

• Flute Family:

  • Flute is a woodwind, not brass, despite appearances.

• Performance Highlight:

  • Melissa played “Dance of the Goat” by Arthur Honegger, narrating its story as she performed.
    “At first, the goat is sleeping… then his happy nature comes out and he starts to dance…” (11:53)

Notable Quotes

• “I like playing the flute because of all those instruments…somehow it was the easiest one. And there’s something about being able to hold it up like this that was different from other instruments.” —Melissa Mealins (05:12)
• “Honestly, maybe even a thousand [songs]. So many. Because I’ve been playing over 25 years.” (09:50)

Timestamps

• Demonstration of bad vs. good embouchure: 03:09
• Explanation of flute parts: 05:41
• Audience Q&A: 04:27–14:21
• Live Performance: 11:53–14:21

Oboe: Double Reeds and Deep Sounds

Guest: Katie Oprea

Key Points & Insights

• What is an Oboe?

  • A woodwind made from very dense, dark wood (“If I dropped this in water, it would sink.”) (17:01)
  • Sound is created with a “double reed” (two pieces of cane tied together). Reed can make sound by itself: “This is the beautiful sound of the oboe reed.” (18:07)

• How an Oboe Works:

  • When the reed is in the instrument, the sound is much prettier.
  • The range goes from a low B flat up to very high (sometimes squeaky!) notes.

• Mechanics:

  • Both mouth and fingers are critical: “The more fingers I put down, the lower the note; the less, the higher.” (20:20)
  • The oboe is a conical instrument (tube widens as you go down), affecting its sound.

• Reeds & Air:

  • Reeds are handmade: “When I play it, you have to blow very, very hard and consistent air…” (23:48)
  • Oboists make their own reeds as they become more advanced.

• Instrument Varieties:

  • Relatives include the English horn (lower) and smaller, higher-pitched oboes.

• Learning & Favorites:

  • Katie began with the oboe because her father needed one in his band.
  • Loves playing in orchestras, especially music by Brahms and other symphonists.

Notable Quotes

• “Music is just sound—but it’s taking sound and painting a picture with it.” —Katie Oprea (21:14)
• “The first instrument is an instrument we all have: your voice.” (25:03)
• “I think my favorite sound in life is laughter. Hearing people laugh makes you feel good.” (27:49)

Timestamps

• Demonstrating reed alone: 18:07
• Oboe sound range: 18:51–18:59
• Explaining fingerings: 20:20
• How the oboe is made: 30:18
• Counting keys: 32:05

Viola: Warmth, Resonance, and Musical Emotion

Guest: Stephanie Taylor

Key Points & Insights

• The Viola Explained:

  • Like a bigger violin (“Some might even say better!”) with a more mellow, human-voice sound. (36:23–36:54)
  • Four strings, all tuned lower than the violin.

• How the Viola Works:

  • Pitch changes when you shorten the string with your fingers.
  • Playing two or more strings together makes both notes resonate.
  • Main tool for sound is the bow (wooden stick with bleached horse hair). Rosin is used on the hair to make it sticky.

• Techniques:

  • Pizzicato (plucking with fingers) vs. bowing (smooth, long sound).
  • Vibrato is when fingers “tremble” on the string to make the sound richer and shimmery.

• Instrument Construction:

  • Body amplifies string vibrations via wood resonance. “Everything vibrates—and that is what makes the sound.” (40:51)
  • Modern strings are metal-wrapped, but were once made from sheep intestines (“gut strings”).
  • Stephanie’s viola is over 200 years old (built in 1810!), and bows must be frequently re-haired.

• The Music Itself:

  • Stephanie’s performance was a lively “gigue” by Bach, adapted for viola. (53:06)
  • “Music is a form of communication…a way of sharing feelings and emotions with others that are not words.” (49:11)
  • Songs are infinite—“there are songs being made whenever someone hums or plays.”

Notable Quotes

• “I think my favorite sound on the oboe would be a particular note... but my favorite sound in life is laughter.” —Katie Oprea (27:49)
• “Music is something that brings people together. We are all here, all from different places and ages, appreciating music.” —Stephanie Taylor (49:24)

Timestamps

• Bow explained (horse hair, rosin): 38:12
• Pizzicato demonstration: 39:01
• Vibrato demystified: 44:21
• Viola construction: 48:33
• Playing Bach’s gigue: 53:06

Audience Curiosity: Kids’ Big Questions

Throughout the episode, children from the audience ask thoughtful, wide-ranging questions, including:

• Why do you like to play music?
• Is the flute the hardest instrument to play?
• Can oboes be different sizes?
• How many keys do oboes have?
• Why do songs get stuck in your head?
• Why does music make you dance?
• What’s the difference between playing and practicing?
• Why do some instruments look similar but sound different?
• How are instruments made?
• Why do people make music?

Musicians respond with enthusiasm, honesty, and relatable analogies—encouraging curiosity and a love of music.

Memorable Moments

• Demonstrating Reed-Only Sounds:
  “This is the beautiful sound of the oboe reed.” (18:07, Katie Oprea)
  [Audience laughs at how odd the reed-only sound is.]

• Melissa’s Trumpet Attempt:
  “My mother told me I sounded like a lovesick moose…” (10:29, Melissa Mealins)

• The Infinite Number of Songs:
  “There are so many songs in the world…whenever someone hums or plays, another is made.” (52:39, Stephanie Taylor)

• Jet Plane Practice Metaphor:
  “Practicing is when you’re under the jet plane with your tools—performing is when you’re flying.” (46:04, Stephanie Taylor)

Selected Timestamps for Major Segments

• Flute Interview/Demo: 02:08–14:21
• Oboe Interview/Demo: 16:54–36:05
• Viola Interview/Demo: 36:21–55:04
• Kids’ Musical Philosophy Questions: Sprinkled throughout, especially 41:25–53:02

Episode Tone

Warm, enthusiastic, accessible, and playful—both the musicians and host speak directly to kids’ level, using hands-on demos, fun analogies, and heartfelt encouragement.

Takeaways

• Musical instruments are full of history, science, and craft.
• Musicians love sharing—and answering any question, big or small.
• There are infinite ways to make and experience music; curiosity is always welcome.
• Whether you sing, tap a pencil, or pick up a centuries-old instrument, you’re part of the world of music.

“Music is a form of sharing feelings, emotions with others that are not words.”
—Stephanie Taylor (49:11)