Woodwind instruments

First, let's see where the woodwind instruments are located in the symphonic orchestra:

Woodwind section:

• FLUTE

The flute was originally made from wood, but now it is made of metal. It is held sideways.

Flute beatbox - Peter and the wolf 
Emmanuel Pahud (flute player of the Berlin Philarmonic)

• PICCOLO

The piccolo is a half-sized flute. Because it is smaller, it sounds higher than the flute. The sound of the piccolo is shrill and bright.

(Piccolo player - Gudrun Hinze)

• OBOE

The oboist plays an important role in the orchestra, he or she has to play an A to tone up the rest of the instruments. The oboe has a double reed. This is a piece of bamboo cane.

Ennio Morricone - The Mission OST (BSO "La Misión")
Strauss - Oboe Concerto

• CLARINET

The clarinet has a single reed, which the player puts into the mouthpiece. The bass clarinet  is a bigger version of the clarinet.


Benny Goodman (clarinet) - Sing sing sing
Rhapsody in blue - Clarinet solo

• BASSOON

The wooden tube is four times longer than the oboe. The bassoon often plays the bass line with the cello.

The firebird

• RECORDER

Vivaldi - Concerto in G minor

• SAXOPHONE

The saxophone is sometimes included in the orchestra. It is made of brass. It has a sigle reed.  The sound is rich, smooth and sweet. It is very common in Jazz music.

Saxophones of different sizes
John Coltrane
Paul Desmond - Take five