Woodwind

Woodwind instruments used to be made of wood, which gives them their name. Today, they can made of wood, metal or plastic. They are made of pipes with holes along their length, a mouthpiece at the top, and an opening at the bottom. Air is blown through the instrument to make a sound (the wind part of their name). Some of the holes are covered by metal caps called keys.

The mouthpieces of the clarinet, oboe and bassoon have a thin piece of wood called a reed, which vibrates when it is blown. The clarinet uses a single reed made of one piece of wood, while the oboe and bassoon use a double reed made of two pieces of wood bound together.