The Woodwind Family

The three branches of the woodwind family have different sources of sound. Vibrations begin when air is blown across the top of an instrument (like in the flute Links to an external site.), across a single reed (like the clarinet Links to an external site. or saxophone Links to an external site.), or across two reeds (like the oboe Links to an external site. or the bassoon Links to an external site.). Reeds are small pieces of cane. A single reed is clamped to a mouthpiece at the top of the instrument and vibrates against the mouthpiece when air is blown between the reed and the mouthpiece. Two reeds tied together are commonly known as a double reed. This double reed fits into a tube at the top of the instrument and vibrates when air is forced between the two reeds.