The crumhorn is a Renaissance woodwind instrument with a distinctive J-shape. It is a 'capped reed' instrument. Unlike an oboe where the player’s lips touch the reed, the crumhorn’s double reed is hidden inside a wooden cap. The player blows through a hole in the cap, which vibrates the reed. Because the lips never touch the reed, the player cannot control the overtones or dynamics as easily, giving the crumhorn a very steady, nasal, and 'buzzing' sound. Its name comes from the German 'Krumhorn,' meaning 'curved horn.'