MODERN WESTERN WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS

There are two main types of woodwind instruments: flutes and  reed instruments.All woodwinds produce sound by splitting an exhaled air stream on a sharp edge, such as a reed or a fipple.

A woodwind may be made of any material, not just wood. Common examples include brass, silver, and cane, as well as other metals including gold and platinum.

 

Flutes:

Flutes produce sound by directing a focused stream of air below the edge of a hole in a cylindrical tube.The flute family can be divided into two sub-families: open flutes and closed flutes.

 

Reed instruments

Reed instruments produce sound by focusing air into a mouthpiece which then causes a reed to vibrate.Similar to flutes, Reed pipes are also further divided into two types: single reed and double reed.

Single-reed:

woodwinds produce sound by placing a reed onto the opening of a mouthpiece

 

single reed mouthpiece	B♭ clarinet (left) and an A clarinet(without mouthpiece)	A saxophone

 

Double-reed:

instruments use two precisely cut, small pieces of cane bound together at the base.

double reed mouthpiece	An oboe	A bassoon