Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Woodwind
This lesson helps young scholars identify the woodwind family of instruments in an orchestra by sight and sound. The students will also identify which instruments have a single reed, double reed, or contain no reed.
Arizona State University
Oboe Reed Adjustment Guide
This is an excellent guide about oboe reeds. The article covers the subjects of tone quality and stability of the reed. The author describes the "performance of a reed by using four basic criteria: response, resistance, tone quality and...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Woodwind Instrument
This site from Wikipedia provides an overview of woodwind instruments and discusses the three types of woodwind instruments and the difference between brass instruments and woodwind instruments.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Clarinet
This article, providing general information on the clarinet -- "a very popular woodwind instrument which originated in Islamic and Asian countries" -- includes an image of a clarinet, several references for reading and research, and a...
Music Education
Learn About Instruments: The Winds
This tutorial teaches students about the flute, piccolo, and saxophone. It features sound clips so that you can hear examples of each instrument being played.
PBS
Classics for Kids: Musical Instruments
An A-to-Z directory of all the instruments and tools of the orchestra. Each entry includes a description, a picture, and a sound sample.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Saxophone
The University of Michigan provides general information on the saxophone, a single-reed woodwind instrument, invented by Adolphe Sax. This resource also includes images and references for further reading and research.
Other
Clarinet Reeds: Selection and Care
If you are a clarinet player, this is an excellent site dealing with the selection and care of clarinet reeds. Topics covered are: recommended brands of reeds, reed strength, reed rotation, and reed holders.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Oboe
This short article on the oboe includes information on the development of this instrument as well as a sound clip (in AIFF format and RealAudio format) and references for further reading and research.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Bassoon
This essay provides general and historical information on the woodwind instrument, the bassoon, which is a "larger and lower-voiced version of the oboe." Included are references to famous musicians who worked with the bassoon and several...
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Bass Clarinet
The University of Michigan provides a brief article on the bass clarinet, which is "the lowest voiced member of the clarinet family." Includes references for further reading and research and links to information on the clarinet and...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Numb3 Rs: Error Correction
Based off of the hit television show NUMB3RS, this lesson has students explore Hamming Codes, an error correction technique used on slightly unreadable or damaged compact discs. Students see how the Hamming Codes allow a CD player to...
Other
What Is Oboe D'amore?
This is a description of the sister to the oboe: the oboe d'amore. It gives examples of its orchestral use and the popularity of the instrument through the centuries.
The Orchestra
The Orchestra: A User's Manual Oboes
Explore the many aspects of the oboe. This site explains its construction, range, articulations, effects and more. Be sure to check out the videos of the players tips and tricks.
The Orchestra
The Orchestra: A User's Manual Bassoons
A wonderful resource covering many aspects of the bassoon. Most explanations are made with video and audio clips of members of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Be sure to check out the players tips and tricks section.
Other
Thumbnail History of the Banjo
Site that focuses on the development of the banjo instrument, but also traces its role in minstrel shows of the 1800s. Offers different viewpoint of this genre.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Lozi
The Lozi consist of a number of interrelated ethnic groups located along the Zambezi River in Barotse Province of western Zambia. The term "Lozi" refers both to the Lozi proper and to those groups that have become subject to and...
Other
Pay the Piper: The Oboe
This website, geared toward young students who are thinking about playing a musical instrument, provides the "pros and cons" of playing the oboe. The site provides background information about this woodwind and related links as well.
Other
Pay the Piper: The Saxophone
This is a site to read about the advantages and disadvantages of playing the saxophone. The page gives great background information about this woodwind instrument.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Contrabassoon
Learn about the contrabassoon, a member of the woodwind family of instruments. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the contrabassoon.
Other
Saxlessons
The complete saxophone resource. Students are guided through lessons. Also, a wealth of information about the saxophone.
Other
What Is a Cor Anglais?
This site discusses the Cor Anglais (English Horn) as a variant of the oboe and offers a picture of the two instruments side by side.
Other
The Origin of the Name "English Horn"
This site gives you a detailed description of how the English Horn was named.
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: Introduction to Saxophone Acoustics
Learn all about the ways a saxophone produces sound. Discover why the reed, playing softly or loudly and tone holes play important roles in this instruments acoustics.