Woodwind instruments were originally made of wood, and their sound is produced by blowing into them. Nowadays, theyu2019re usually made of polymers (plastic), or even metal.
There are two families: flutes and reed instruments.
Flutes (the piccolo is also in the flute family) are played by blowing across the mouthpiece.
Reeds have a very thin strip of a giant cane tree called u201cArundo donaxu201d attached to the mouthpiece. The reed vibrates when the player blows into it.
Some woodwinds, like the clarinet, have a single reed. Others, like the oboe and the English horn, have a double reed.
Clarinet mouthpiece with a single reed
Oboe mouthpiece with a double reed
Flute
Piccolo
Clarinet
Oboe
Bassoon
English Horn
