Woodwind instruments use vibrating air to produce different musical sounds with or without a reed. Although they all were originally made of wood, they may also be made of metal, bone or ivory and the different shape and elements of each instrument create it's unique sound.
 

The reed is a thinly sliced piece of cane or plastic that is held against the aperture of the mouthpiece.  When air is forced between the reed and the mouthpiece the vibrations create the sound. Examples of single reed woodwinds are the clarinet, saxophone, tenor sax, and alto sax.  Double reeds, like those used to play the oboe and bassoon, are two small pieces of cane joined at the base; this reed is played between the lips.

Flutes and piccolos are woodwinds that produce a sound by blowing on an edge.  In the orchestra the woodwinds frequently play solos because their tone carries well and can be heard above the many other instruments playing.

Click on the "sample sound' to hear an instrument and then click "Back" to return.
 

CLARINETS


Selmer
Leblanc
Vito
Artley
Jupiter
____________

BASS CLARINETS

Selmer
Leblanc
Jupiter

Click here for a sample sound: BASS CLARINET
____________

OBOES & BASSOONS



Selmer

____________

CONTRA-ALTO &
CONTRABASS CLARINETS

Selmer
Leblanc

Below are pictures of the different types of woodwinds and the brand names we carry.  You can also link to the manufacturer's web site by clicking on their name or their logo to the right.

PICCOLOS 

 Armstrong
Emerson
Gemeinhardt
Jupiter
____________

FLUTES

Artley
Emerson
Gemeinhardt
Trevor James
Selmer
Jupiter
Click here for sample sound:  FLUTE
____________

ALTO SAXOPHONES

Selmer
Yanagisawa
Conn
Vito
Click here for sample sound:  ALTO SAX
____________
  
SOPRANO SAXOPHONES

Selmer
Yanagisawa
Vito
Click here for sample sound:  SOPRANO SAX
____________

TENOR SAXOPHONES

Selmer
Yanagisawa
Conn
Vito

____________

BARITONE SAXOPHONES

Selmer
Yanagisawa
Leblanc