A capped reed instrument similar to the chanter in a bagpipe, the crumhorn gets its name from the German word meaning "curved horn".

The instrument is a wooden curved horn with a wind cap and a reed and comes in an alto, soprano, and bass version. The shape of the crumhorn resembles the modern letter "J". It is a double reed instrument where the reed is blown through a reed cap and therefore does not vibrate in the player's mouth. Producing a very high sound, from a gentle hum to a rich buzz, the pitch is based on how hard a player blows, not on the length of the pipe. The curve is merely decorative and does not affect the sound.

Used mainly in ensembles and at festivals throughout Europe, it peaked in popularity in 1550 and 1650 and often played a part in paintings and literature. The crumhorn is probably the ancestor of the saxophone.