Woodwinds

Woodwind instruments were originally made of wood, and their sound is produced by blowing into them. Nowadays, they’re 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 cane, from a giant cane tree called “Arundo donax” 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.