Instruments
Woodwind instruments produce sound by splitting the air that a musician blows into the instrument, on a sharp edge. Reeds are thin strips of flexible material that vibrate when air passes around them. When a reed vibrates against the mouthpiece of an instrument, it releases pulses of air, producing sound. The amount of airflow that reaches the reeds affects the stability and volume of the notes that the instrument produces.
Woodwind instruments often have holes which the player can cover up to change the pitch of their music. Opening and closing these holes changes the length of the columns of air inside the instrument. Shorter air columns produce higher pitches and longer columns produce lower pitches.
Although the name suggests it, not all woodwind instruments are made of wood. Modern and fancy woodwind instruments are usually made of metal alloys.