Woodwind instruments are a family of musical instruments that produce sound when air is blown through them. They are typically made of wood or metal and include instruments like the flute, clarinet, oboe, and saxophone. The sound is created by the vibration of air within the instrument, which can be altered by opening and closing holes or using keys. These instruments are categorized into two main types: reed instruments and non-reed instruments. Reed instruments, such as the clarinet and saxophone, use a small piece of cane called a reed to produce sound. Non-reed instruments, like the flute, rely on the air being split by an edge to create sound.