woodwind instruments are played in several ways. the flute is played by blowing across the top of the mouthpiece. it is like blowing across the top of an empty bottle. the oboe and bassoon both have a double reed. it is like blowing through a drinking straw. bagpipes have double reeds which are inside the mouthpiece (“enclosed reeds”). the clarinet and saxophone have single reeds which are clamped against the opening of the mouthpiece.