Which instrument belongs to the woodwind family and uses a double reed?

The instrument that belongs to the woodwind family and utilizes a double reed is the oboe. In woodwind instruments, the method of sound production is a key characteristic that distinguishes them. A double reed means that the instrument has two reeds that vibrate against each other to produce sound.

The oboe is known for its clear, penetrating tone and is often used in orchestras and chamber music. It has a conical shape and is made of wood, which contributes to its distinctive sound quality. The specific mechanism and construction of its double reed setup allow for both expressive pitch control and nuanced dynamics.

In contrast, while the clarinet is also a woodwind instrument, it uses a single reed, which separates its sound production method from that of the oboe. The saxophone, too, is a single-reed instrument and is classified as a woodwind, but like the clarinet, it does not utilize a double reed. The bassoon, although also a double-reed instrument, typically plays lower pitches and has a more complex shape, which may create confusion, but the oboe is the primary representative of double reed instruments commonly encountered in typical music studies.