Reading Comprehension · Music Education
Woodwind Family Instruments Lesson
A printable music worksheet introducing the woodwind family — the flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone.
Subject
Reading
Grade Level
Grades 3–7
Resource Type
Worksheet
Skill Focus
Music Education — Woodwind Instruments
The Woodwind Family
Woodwind instruments make sound when the player blows air against an edge, through a mouthpiece, or through a reed. Covering and releasing holes in the body of the instrument changes the pitch. Many woodwind instruments were originally made of wood, though today they may be made from metal, plastic, or other materials.
The flute is one of the oldest known musical instruments. Some of the earliest flutes were carved from bone. The player holds the flute sideways and blows across a small opening in the mouthpiece, creating a bright, airy tone. Flutes are used in orchestras, concert bands, jazz ensembles, and folk music around the world.
The clarinet uses a single reed — a thin piece of wood attached to the mouthpiece. The player blows air between the reed and the mouthpiece, causing the reed to vibrate. The clarinet has a warm, flexible tone and a very wide range. It is heard in orchestras, jazz bands, and concert bands.
Oboe, Bassoon, and Saxophone
The oboe uses a double reed, made of two thin pieces of cane bound together. The player blows through both reeds, which vibrate against each other. The oboe has a distinctive, penetrating tone and is often given prominent solo passages in orchestras.
The bassoon is the largest standard woodwind instrument. Like the oboe, it uses a double reed. The bassoon produces a deep, rich sound and often plays bass lines in the orchestra. Its sound can also have a slightly nasal, even comical quality that composers use to great effect.
The saxophone was invented in the 1840s by Adolphe Sax. Though made of metal, it uses a single reed like the clarinet and is classified as a woodwind. Saxophones come in several sizes, from soprano to bass. They are central instruments in jazz music and are also used in concert bands and occasionally in orchestras.
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