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A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument which produces sound when the player blows air either against a sharp edge, or through a reed, causing the air within its resonator (usually a column of air) to vibrate. Most of these instruments are made of wood, but can be made of other materials, such as metals or plastics. Woodwind instruments can further be divided into 2 groups: Flutes and Reed instruments.
Flutes
Flutes produce sound when air is blown across an edge.
Reed instruments
* Single-reed instruments use a reed, which is a thin-cut piece of cane or plastic that is held against the aperture of a mouthpiece with a ligature. When air is forced between the reed and the mouthpiece, the reed vibrates, creating the sound. Single reed instruments include the clarinet and saxophone families.
* Double-reed instruments, use two precisely cut, small pieces of cane joined together at the base. The finished, bound reed is inserted into the top of the instrument and vibrates as air is forced between the two pieces. Double reed instruments include the oboe and bassoon. |