A flute is a narrow tube with a line of holes covered by keys and measures roughly two feet. Sound is created by air blown into a mouthpiece; the keys are used to change notes. While the low notes can blend in to an orchestra, the high notes are piercing and certainly stand out. Flutes were first made from wood but are now commonly constructed from silver and gold. Variations include the ocarina and piccolo.
This long, narrow instrument consists of two reeds tied together that vibrate as air is blown between them without the aid of a mouthpiece, which creates sound. Oboes are commonly made from wood or plastic and metal keys change notes. The oboe is the smallest double-reed instrument in an orchestra, but an oboe player will usually play a solo. There are many variations of the oboe, such as the English horn, crumhorn and the zurna.
Clarinets look similar to oboes. One difference though is that the clarinet uses a mouthpieces; a singe reed – a piece of cane – inside vibrates when air is blown inside which creates sound. While associated with warm tones, the clarinet can produce a wide variety of sounds. Aside form performing in the woodwind section of the orchestra, clarinet players can be seen in jazz bands. Variations include bubgi, Basset-horn and Bass clarinet.
Since it produces a deep sound, the bassoon is used as the bass in an orchestra and helps to keep clarinet, oboe and flute in tune. This large, narrow instrument is commonly made from wood. A double reed in a bocal – a small curved tube – vibrates as air is blown to generate sound. The air travels to the bottom of the instrument before returning to the top to be released. Like the other orchestral woodwind section instruments, the bassoon has keys. The curtal and double bassoon are variations of the bassoon.
Bagpipes are woodwind instruments that have an unusual appearance. Air is blown into a sack in through the chanter and escapes as sound through drone pipes. By building up air in the sack, a bagpipe player can breathe while still making music. Made of brass, a saxophone may seem more suited to the brass section of an orchestra but it is actually a woodwind instrument.