If you are looking for a very detailed explanation of many different kinds of instruments, I would recommend reading this web page: http://hubpages.com/_musiclinks0526/hub/The-Most-Difficult-Instrument
The individual who wrote this obviously has an extensive background in music and is very passionate about it. Although he admitted that he has little knowledge about stringed instruments and percussion, he definitely knew about almost every other instrument out there! He gives explanations of the flute/piccolo, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, trumpet, euphonium, tuba, French horn, mellophone, trombone, piano, and even the harmonica and accordian! It is very informative and I have referred back to it a couple of times. Check it out!

(And just in case you're wondering, I did not write that page. I play the violin and piano and knew nothing about most of those other instruments.)

Thanks, I needed something like this. I'm vocalist and don't know much about my fellow instrumentalist.

His percussion knowlegde is... interesting.

Oh this is horrible.

Let me encourage you all to NOT refer back to this explanation of insturments. He has limited knowledge and lots of incorrect facts.

Thankfully he did say he doesn't know a lot and does not claim to be an expert. And it shows.

Again, many of the statements are not correct. Almost everything about the french horn is wrong. He has no knowledge about the basic principles of even his own instrument, the trumpet. Not once did he refer to the basic building block of the harmonics of the tube and how it works or why. poor example.

The flute thing with clarinet totaly doesn't make sense. Flutes and clarinets almost have the same amount of keys. And who chooses an instrument on whether or not you have a to soak a reed? Theres is NO skill in soaking a reed, just get it wet!

That guy has NO experience what so ever. And the thing about flute having less "valves" then clarinet and trumpet.... what the hell is that supposed to mean? Woodwind instruments dont have valves hunny.

HAHA! Wow, what a joke of a site! I haven't EVER seen VALVES on flutes/clarinet/saxes.

FLUTE / PICCOLO (Wind) This instrument is probably the easiest to play in terms of the valves. [/quote[ I'd hope so, there ARE no valves... I love this: Also the reeds break more often because, since both are flat, putting them against each other doesn't leave an air hole. Oboe reeds shouldn't be breaking in the first place, and both blades are not flat. I'm not sure about the "air hole" part... I'm guessing they're talking about the space between the blades? More fun: ....they have a completely different fingering chart than the other instruments. This part was taken from the French Horn section. I'm pretty positive it's called FINGERING. Not quite on track there.... This is because unlike other woodwinds, it uses a double-reed mouthpiece. Sorry but oboe's don't have mouth pieces... To anyone who wants to learn about the instrument in a symphony orchestra: 1. If interested WATCH an orchestra concert/solo performance/chamber group perform. 2. Look at the instruments, ask questions, ask the performers, ask instrument teachers. 3. Wikipedia them!!!! (Hehehe) <Added> Oh yum. Nice big block of quote.. Sorry about that.