First, let's see where the woodwind instruments are located in the symphonic orchestra:
Woodwind section:
The flute was originally made from wood, but now it is made of metal.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)
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)
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
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
The wooden tube is four times longer than the oboe. The bassoon often plays the bass line with the cello.
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.