Woodwind Instruments

The sound from a woodwind instrument is produced by blowing through a mouthpiece, against an edge or by a vibrating reed. The pitch is varied by opening or closing holes in the body of the instrument.

Although many early instruments were made from wood, the name "woodwind" is now somewhat misleading as some instruments in this family are constructed from metal and plastic as well as from wood.

• • 
    Piccolo
  • 
    Flute
  • 
    Alto Flute
  • 
    Bass Flute
  • 
    Contra-alto Flute
  • 
    Contra-bass Flute

  Flutes

• • 
    Garkleine
  • 
    Sopranino Recorder
  • 
    Descant Recorder
  • 
    Treble Recorder
  • 
    Tenor Recorder
  • 
    Bass Recorders

  Recorders

• • 
    Eb Clarinet
  • 
    Bb Clarinet
  • 
    A Clarinet
  • 
    Basset Clarinet
  • 
    Basset Horn
  • 
    Alto Clarinet
  • 
    Bass Clarinet
  • 
    Contra-alto Clarinet
  • 
    Contra-bass Clarinet

  Clarinets

• • 
    Sopranino Saxophone
  • 
    Soprano Saxophone
  • 
    Alto Saxophone
  • 
    Tenor Saxophone
  • 
    Baritone Saxophone
  • 
    Bass Saxophone

  Saxophones

• • 
    Oboe
  • 
    Oboe d'Amore
  • 
    Cor Anglais
  • 
    Bass Oboe
  • 
    Heckelphone

  Oboe & related

• • 
    Tenoroon
  • 
    Bassoon
  • 
    Contra bassoon

  Bassoons

• • 
    Harmonica

  Harmonicas

Please note that not all woodwind instruments are shown here. In addition, there are often other variations on many of the instruments listed above that have not been included. We have however tried to include the most common instruments and their derivatives.