Why are Flutes Clarinets and Saxophones Called Woodwinds?

The Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone are known as "woodwind" instruments, and they are literally that: instruments made of wood which are played by directing air, or "wind" through them to produce tones.

Wait! You ask. A saxophone is made of brass! It is also played with a reed which is made of wood. Modern flutes are made of metal, and some inexpensive clarinets are made of plastic, but they are all considered woodwinds because of their origins.

The original flutes were made of wood, and even though they are played without a reed, they are still considered woodwinds for this reason. The original clarinets were also originally made of wood and they are also played with a reed, as are oboes, English horns and bassoons, alto clarinets and bass clarinets.

Woodwind instruments are very important to bands and orchestras because they provide a very warm tone which has a very different timbre than a brass or string instrument.