Read Works
Read Works: Musical Instruments Woodwind Instruments
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about woodwind instruments. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Musical Instruments
Homepage for a hypertext about the different families of musical instruments. From this page, users can retrieve information on a the acoustics of a variety of specific instruments: stringed instruments, woodwind instruments, brass...
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.
Yale University
Yale Collection of Musical Instruments: Wind Instruments
Learn about woodwind instruments in this image gallery with descriptions of each instrument in this page from the musical instruments collection of Yale University.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Recorder
The University of Michigan provides general information on the "portable and accessible" woodwind instrument called the recorder. Includes several references for further research and links to information on duct flutes and transverse...
Quia
Quia: Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction "Musical Hangman"
Test your knowledge of instruments of the orchestra with this interactive hangman game. Click on letters to guess the mystery word!
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids
This interactive site offers students resource for learning about composers, their works, the logistics of orchestra seating, the functions of different instruments, and the like.
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Musical Instruments
An interactive and printable crossword puzzle developed by the New York Times Learning Network. The theme of this puzzle is Musical Instruments.
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.
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: 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...
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Transverse Flute
In addition to providing general information on the transverse flute and references for further reading and research, this lesson includes an audio file so that you can hear "the sound of a baroque wooden flute."
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.
Other
Alien Travel Guide: Musical Instruments
This site contains links to articles that explain how musical instruments work, describes vocal mechanics, and the three main vocal groups.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Orchestra Instruments
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes the various instrument families and the instruments that fit in each family. Sound files are attached to the instruments so that students can hear what each sounds like.
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.
Text Project
Text Project: Fyi for Kids: Horns: The Sound of the Wind [Pdf]
This FYI for Kids (Volume 2, Issue 7) article is about horn musical instruments. It explains how they work, materials they have been made from, what they are used for, and even how students can make a simple one for themselves.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Instrument Families
[Free Registration/Login Required] Discover which musical instruments fit into which categories. A comprehensive listing of instruments with pictures is included in the flipchart.
Other
Saxlessons
The complete saxophone resource. Students are guided through lessons. Also, a wealth of information about the saxophone.
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.
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.
The Orchestra
The Orchestra: A User's Manual Flutes
Everything concerning the flute can be found at this site. Learn about its construction, range, articulations, effects and more. Also be sure to check out the players tips and tricks.