Double Reed Musical Instruments have been popular in the world of music since a long time. These are a kind of wind instruments having two reeds, as the name suggests. In these instruments sound is produced when two pieces of canes vibrate against each other. A range of musical instruments are found in the family of double reed musical instruments.

Kuzhal
Kuzhal is a traditional instrument of South India, especially Kerala. It resembles a Shehnai and produces a penetrating and shrill sound. The instrument comprises of wooden pipe having a conical bore with a brass bell attached to the end. Kuzhal is usually played by males. While playing the instruments, the small holes of the instrument are closed with both hands to produce different melodies. Previously, Kuzhal was used along with Chenda in the musical gatherings. Kuzhal Pattu is the name given to the solo concert which is accompanied by this instrument.

Nadaswaram
Nadaswaram is considered as the loudest non brass acoustic instrument of the world. It is one of the most popular Double Reed Musical Instrument of Tamil Nadu. It is a wind instrument having stark similarity with Shehnai. Nadaswaram is considered as very auspicious in south India and is thus played in temples and weddings. It is usually played in pairs along with Thavil, a kind of drum. Along the body of this instrument, holes are made which are used to modify the musical notes. Nadaswaram produces a strong and intense sound, a reason for which it is considered as an outdoor instrument and played in open air concerts.

Shehnai
Double Reed Musical Instruments also enlist Shehnai, a wind instrument, used widely in northern and western India. It is composed of a wooden pipe having a metal flare bell at the end. The sound of Shehnai creates a feeling of auspiciousness due to which it has become the most common musical instrument of weddings and processions. Concerts of Shehnai are also admired by the music lovers. Over the body of Shehnai, six to nine holes are drilled which are used to control the various musical notes. Breath control is an important aspect of playing Shehnai. Sometimes, double Shehnai are played by tying two of them together.

Bagpipes
Bagpipes are another popular instruments belonging to the family of Double Reed Musical Instruments. The emergence of this instrument can be traced from about 16th or 17th century. It consists of an air reservoir, as a bag with two enclosed reeds. Air is supplied in the bag by blowing through the blowpipe. Continuous flow of player enables the instrument to produce continuous sound. An open ended melody pipe, known as chanter, is used to create beautiful melodies. Music of Bagpipes accompanies the dances very well.

Piri
Piri is another double reed instrument having a bamboo body with eight finger holes on them. One finger hole is drilled at the back for thumb control whereas rest seven are drilled on the front part. Four different types of Piris are there, namely Hyang piri, Se piri, Dang piri and Dae piri, depending on their use and the type of music they produce.

Piffero
Piffero is another double reed instrument having a conical bore. It consists of a conical brass tube with a reed inserted into it. Finger holes are made on the body of the instrument, among which eight are drilled in front and one at the back for thumb control. At the end, a bell is attached and a cock tail feather rests on it while it is played.

Other Double Reed Musical Instruments
In addition to these, other Double Reed Musical Instruments are bombard, duduk, dulzaina, guan, gyaling, hichiriki, hojok, ken, sralai, sopila, suona, sunray, tangmuri, tenora and tible.

In Double Reed Musical Instruments, reeds are usually made up of cane which is initially split lengthwise and are then shaped into desired thickness. Different types of reeds are prepared by applying different techniques. For making reeds canes from different regions are collected. These instruments amplify the charm of music to a great extent.