長笛 Flute

長笛外型細長，在一端的管身上開孔為吹口，直接以口送氣發聲。長笛雖然屬於木管樂器，但通常以金屬製成，呈銀色。音色明亮清澈，演奏時以手橫持。

現代的長笛是由德國製造商貝姆在1832年改良而成。他為樂器洞孔加上機械式的按鍵，不需直接以手指緊按氣孔就能發出正確的音高，演奏起來更為輕鬆，演奏技巧亦因而提昇。

一般人的印象中，長笛是非常優雅的樂器，事實也是如此。長笛各個音域的音色變化很大，但都有溫柔動人的特質。它的低音域溫柔沈厚，中音域明亮潤澤，高音域奔放清亮，合奏中常以數支齊奏來突出旋律。寫作給長笛的曲目相當多，著名作曲家如巴赫、韓德爾、莫札特、舒伯特等都曾多次為這樂器創作奏鳴曲及獨奏樂曲，或其他室樂作品。

The flute has a slender and elongated shape, with a blowhole on one end of the tube, and sound is produced by blowing air directly into it with the mouth. Although the flute is classified as a woodwind instrument, it is usually made of metal and has a silver appearance. It has a bright and clear tone and is played by holding it horizontally with the hands.

The modern flute was improved by Theobald Boehm, a German manufacturer, in 1832. He added mechanical keys to the instrument's finger holes, allowing for the production of accurate pitches without the need to manually cover the holes with the fingers. This modification made playing the flute easier and enhanced the level of playing technique.

In general, the flute is widely regarded as an elegant instrument, and this perception is indeed accurate. The flute exhibits significant tonal variations across its different registers, but all possess a gentle and captivating quality. Its low register is warm and mellow, the middle register is bright and smooth, and the high register is lively and clear. In ensemble playing, multiple flutes are often used to highlight melodies. There are numerous compositions written specifically for the flute, with renowned composers such as Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Schubert creating sonatas, solo pieces, and other chamber music works for this instrument. 

單簧管 Clarinet

單簧管又稱豎笛。由於管身通常以黑木製造，顏色黝黑，所以也稱為黑管。它的外型是一個圓筒狀的長管，底部稍微擴大成喇叭口，吹口配以一塊簧片，以口吹氣震動簧片發聲，並以按鍵改變音高。這種樂器是由德國樂器製造商丹納（JohannDennerl 655~1707）在十八世紀時將原有的樂器沙魯摩（Chalumeau）改良而成。按鍵系統則是採用十九世紀初貝姆改良的長笛按鍵系統。

豎笛音域寬廣，音色變化很大，音量可由強烈的咆哮，銳減至輕柔的低語，加上它可以演奏快速音階，琶音，跳躍音，斷奏，或圓滑的旋律等，表現力卓越，因此常在交響樂改編的管樂曲中演奏原先小提琴的旋律；同時也是極為理想的獨奏樂器。

樂團中最常用到的豎笛為降B調豎笛，其他還有A調豎笛，低音豎笛等（每種豎笛演奏指法都相同），種類繁多，可以輕易組成一個純單簧管合奏團。 

The clarinet, also known as the "vertical flute" in Chinese, is often made of black wood, giving it a dark appearance and earning it the name "black tube." Its shape is that of a cylindrical long tube with a slightly widened bell at the bottom. It is played by blowing air through a reed attached to the mouthpiece, and the pitch can be varied by pressing keys. This instrument was developed by Johann Denner (1655-1707), a German instrument maker, who improved upon the earlier chalumeau. The key system used in the clarinet was later modified by Theobald Boehm in the early 19th century based on his improvements to the flute's key system.

The clarinet has a wide range and a diverse range of tones, capable of producing powerful roars as well as soft whispers. It can play rapid scales, arpeggios, leaps, staccato notes, and smooth melodies, showcasing exceptional expressiveness. Therefore, it is often used to perform the original violin melodies in symphonic adaptations for wind instruments. Additionally, it is an ideal solo instrument.

The most commonly used clarinet in orchestras is the B-flat clarinet, while others include the A clarinet and the bass clarinet (which share the same fingerings). With its wide variety of types, a pure clarinet ensemble can easily be formed.

雙簧管 Oboe

雙簧管外形遠看很像豎笛，但是吹奏豎笛時只要將嘴對準樂器的上面部分即可，而雙簧管的前端有一個突出的細長管子，吹奏者必須含著管子來吹氣才能發出聲音。

雙簧管的簧片以蘆葦作材料，削成薄薄的二片舌板。管體本身為圓錐狀，因它的機械構造上顯得複雜了許多，跟其他木管樂器有明顯分別。音色變化很大，從尖銳細緻到圓潤溫柔皆可，這也是其它木管樂器所不及之處。  

The oboe has a similar appearance to the clarinet at first glance, but when playing the oboe, one only needs to align the mouth with the upper part of the instrument. The oboe has a protruding slender tube at the front end, and the player must hold the tube in their mouth to blow air and produce sound.

The reeds of the oboe are made from reeds and are shaped into thin double reeds. The body of the instrument itself is conical, and its mechanical structure is more complex compared to other woodwind instruments. It exhibits a wide range of tonal variations, ranging from sharp and delicate to round and gentle, surpassing other woodwind instruments in this aspect.

薩克管 Saxophone

薩克管也就是俗稱的色士風，由金屬製成，但它的基本造型與木管樂器相同，內部成圓錐狀，末端開口擴大成喇叭狀，並向上彎起，所以仍屬木管樂器的一族。

薩克管在1864牢出比利時人阿道夫，薩克斯（A.SAX）設計發明，所以就以他的姓命名。它約吹口、簧片、按鍵設計、演奏嘴型及指法部與單簧管很相似，幾乎可以說學會其中一種，另一種樂器也能很容易地上手。

薩克管音色濃厚，可以狂野，可以溫柔，常令人想到爵士樂，不過其實爵士樂中更常使用小號、豎笛等樂器。

由於薩克管發明較晚，我們熟知的許多大作曲家都早於它的時代，因此流傳較廣的古典名曲中，幾乎部沒有它的聲音。但是薩克管被廣泛應用於軍樂隊與室外樂隊中，而且一些現代作曲家已在交響樂和管樂曲中，將它的特色作了很好的發揮。  

The saxophone, commonly known as the "sax," is made of metal, but its basic design is similar to woodwind instruments. It has a conical shape inside, with the bell opening at the end, flaring out and curving upward, making it still classified as a member of the woodwind family.

The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian, in 1864, so it was named after him. Its mouthpiece, reed, key design, embouchure, and fingerings are very similar to the clarinet, to the extent that once you learn one of these instruments, it is relatively easy to pick up the other.

The saxophone has a rich and versatile tone, capable of producing wild and gentle sounds. It is often associated with jazz music, although instruments such as trumpet and flute are more commonly used in jazz.

Since the saxophone was invented relatively late, many well-known composers predating its time did not include it in their classical compositions. However, the saxophone is widely used in military bands and outdoor ensembles, and some modern composers have effectively showcased its unique characteristics in symphonic and wind ensemble compositions.