WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS are not all made of wood. Some are made from metal, bone and ivory. They look like long sticks, and musicians blow air into them to create sounds. The distinctive sounds that are produced by each of these family members is caused by their different shapes and materials that are used to make them. Some of the woodwind instruments include the flute, clarinet, oboe, and the bassoon.
Woodwinds can be played either as flutes or with a reed. Flutes have a hole that the player blows across, which cause the air to vibrate, creating a sound. The oboe, clarinet, and bassoon use reeds. The musician blows through the reed which transfers the air through the instrument, creating the sound.
An orchestra usually has 2-4 of each type of woodwind. These instruments will sometimes play solos because its sound carries well and can be heard even when there are many other instruments playing.
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