woodwind

This term describes a specific family of instruments defined by the method of sound production rather than the material of construction. While the name implies wood, many modern instruments in this category are crafted from metal, resin, or plastic, yet they retain the woodwind classification because they utilize a reed or a blow-hole to vibrate a column of air. In an orchestral setting, the word often functions as a collective noun referring to the woodwind section. It carries a connotation of agility and varied tonal colors, often contrasted with the heavier, more uniform sound of the brass section.