Woodwind instruments can be divided into three types – single-reed instruments, double-reed instruments, and flutes.
Like the brass family, sound is made by blowing air into the instrument. However instead of creating vibrations by buzzing their lips, woodwind instruments create sound by blowing air into the instrument that is then cut by a sharp edge; either the instrument itself, or a reed attached to the mouthpiece. You play them by blowing air through the mouthpiece and opening or closing the holes with your fingers to change the pitch. Metal caps called keys cover the holes of most woodwind instruments, but some instruments use fingers only, such as the recorder.
You can hear woodwind instruments featured in all types of music, from classical and orchestral pieces to jazz to blues to rock & roll and nearly everything in between.
The woodwind family of instruments includes the piccolo, flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone.
