woodwinds

Cultural  

1. A group of wind instruments with a softer tone than that of brass instruments. Woodwind players do not set the air in their instruments in motion by blowing through their closed lips against a cup-shaped mouthpiece, as players of brass instruments do. In woodwinds, the players insert the mouthpiece into their mouths and blow while pressing their lips against a single or double reed. Bassoons, clarinets, oboes, and saxophones are played in this way. In other woodwinds, the player blows across a hole (fifes, flutes, and piccolos) or into a whistlelike mouthpiece (recorders).

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woodwinds

Occasionally, Göransson adds a lovely monotone layer of woodwinds or a keening chorus that sounds like the oldest song on Earth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

When the younger Sousa became its conductor at age 25, he recruited woodwinds to balance the blaring brass instruments, expanded its repertoire by transcribing symphonic works, and led meticulous rehearsals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

I can hear the woodwinds and strings in your ode to creative lawyering in the states.

From Slate ● Jan. 10, 2026

The nine ensembles included a large mixed band that he headed, along with ensembles of strings, brass, woodwinds and choruses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2025

NOTE: In some woodwinds, such as the clarinet , the upper "octave" may actually be the third harmonic rather than the second, which complicates the fingering patterns of these instruments.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones