Types of Woodwind Instruments

Did you know that woodwind instruments are divided into two groups based on how air is blown into them?

The two groups are flutes and reed instruments. Flutes have air enter directly through a mouth, or hole in the instrument's head.  Examples in this group are the flute, piccolo and recorder. In reed instruments, air is blown into the instrument through one or two reeds. The reeds vibrate when air is blown, creating the sound.  Examples of reed instruments are the clarinet, saxophone, oboe and bassoon.