Wind & Woodwind Instruments

All That Jazz

Woodwind instruments play an important role in many types of music, including jazz, classical, and even pop and rock. Any modern orchestra today almost always includes a woodwind section of flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. Woodwinds can be divided into three categories: brass instruments, reed instruments, and flutes. While some woodwind instruments are suited for beginners, other woodwinds are among the most difficult and demanding instruments to learn. Top woodwind brands include Yamaha, Armstrong, and Gemeinhardt.

Reed Woodwind Instruments

Reed instruments, such as the oboe and clarinet, have one or more pieces of reed in the mouthpiece. The sound comes when the musician blows through the mouthpiece and vibrates the reed. Another popular reed instrument is the saxophone. It is similar to the clarinet, except most saxes are curved in a characteristic S shape. Saxophones are one of the best selling instruments on eBay.

Flutes

While "flute" is the name for a family of instruments, most people recall the silver-colored instrument that is held horizontally as a flute. Flutes produce sound when a musician directs a focused stream of air across the edge of a hole in a cylindrical tube. Flutes are most often used in symphony orchestras and jazz ensembles.

Whistles

Tin whistles have six holes that can be covered by the fingers in order to produce two notes and two octaves out of each finger position. Tin whistles are great for beginners because they are relatively simple to play and they are durable instruments for kids.

Choosing a Woodwind Instrument

As with any instrument, the quality of sound that comes from a woodwind varies slightly depending on design, construction, and the type of wood or metal used. You can find a large selection of woodwind instruments on eBay to fit your budget and personal preferences.