A reed is a thin strip of material which vibrates to produce a sound on a musical instrument. The reeds of woodwind instruments are made from Arundo donax or synthetic material; tuned reeds (as in harmonicas and accordions) are made of metal or synthetics.
ContentsSingle reeds are used on the mouthpieces of clarinets and saxophones. They have a flat (back) side which fits against the mouthpiece and a top side which tapers to a thin tip. They are rectangular in shape except for the thin vibrating tip, which is curved to match the curve of the mouthpiece tip. Although all single reeds are shaped similarly, they vary in size to fit the appropriate mouthpiece.
The most obvious variation in reeds designed for the same instrument is a variation in thickness ("hardness" or "strength"), generally measured on a scale of 1 through 5 from softest to hardest. This is not a standardized scale and reed strengths vary between manufacturers. The thickness of the tip and heel and the profile in between also affect the sound and playability. Cane of different grades (density, stiffness), even if cut with the same profile, will also respond differently.
Double reedsBassoon double reeds.Double reeds are used on the oboe, oboe d'amore, english horn, bassoon, contrabassoon, sarrusophone and bagpipes. They are typically not used in conjunction with a mouthpiece; rather the two reeds vibrate against each other. However, in the case of the crumhorn, bagpipes, and shawm, a reed cap that contains an airway is placed over the reeds and blown without the reeds actually coming in contact with the player's mouth. Reed strengths are graded from soft to hard.
Free reedsThere are two types of free reeds: framed and unframed. Framed free reeds are used on ancient Asian instruments such as the Chinese shêng, Japanese shÅ, and Laotian khene, and modern European instruments such as the harmonium or reed organ, harmonica, concertina, bandoneón, accordion, and Russian bayan (a type of accordion). The reed is made from cane, willow, brass or steel, and is enclosed in a rigid frame. The pitch of the framed free reed is fixed, unlike the reeds of the single- or double-reed instruments.
One example of the unframed reed is the primitive bullroarer; it consists simply of a stone or board of wood tied to a rope which is swung around and around through the air. It makes a whistling sound. Another primitive unframed free-reed instrument is the leaf (called bilu), which can be heard in some traditional Chinese music ensembles. A leaf, or a long blade of grass, is stretched between the sides of the thumbs and tensioned slightly by bending the thumbs, thereby raising or lowering the pitch. The tone of the instrument can be modified by cupping the hands so as to provide a resonant chamber. [1]
MaterialsMost reeds are made from cane, but synthetic reeds made from various substances are used by a small number of clarinetists and saxophonists, as well as bagpipers, particularly the Italian Zampognari, who often use synthetic double reeds for the Italian Zampogna. Synthetic reeds are generally more durable than their natural counterparts, do not need to be moistened prior to playing, and can be more consistent in quality. Many players consider them to have poor sound, or use them only in a context where tone quality is less important, such as a marching band.
Recent developments in synthetic reed technology have produced reeds made from synthetic polymer compounds[1], and as technology in this area has progressed, synthetic reeds have gained more acceptance. Synthetic reeds are useful when the instrument is played intermittently with long breaks in between, during which time a natural reed might become dry.
The dizi, a Chinese transverse flute, has a distinctive kind of reed (a di mo), which is made from a paper-like bamboo membrane.
Commercial vs. hand-made reedsMusicians originally crafted reeds from cane using simple tools, a process which was time-consuming and painstaking. Specialized tools for cutting and trimming reeds by hand reduce the time needed to finish a reed.
Today, nearly all players of single-reed instruments buy manufactured reeds, although many players adjust them by shaving or sanding. Some professionals make single reeds from "blanks", but this is time-consuming and can require expensive equipment.
Among double reed players, advanced and professional players typically make their own reeds, while beginners and students often buy reeds either from their teachers or from commercial sources.
Reed playersEspecially in musical theatre orchestras, woodwind players are commonly referred to as "reed players" or "reeds". These players are not restricted to one particular woodwind instrument group, but play ("double on") several different instruments. (Although the flutes are not reed instruments, they are included as well.)
There are usually only four or five reed players in a pit orchestra who perform on all woodwind instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone). A basic reed part usually has three or four instruments (flutes, clarinets, saxophones being the most common), but can include up to eight instruments, such as the "Reed 3" part in Bernstein's West Side Story, which calls for the player to use piccolo, flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, Bass Clarinet, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Through intricate doubling, the arranger can emulate the sound of a much larger woodwind section. (The West Side Story woodwind section would need twelve "classical" players instead of five "reed" players.)
All reeds need to be soaked to soften them before playing. This allows them to vibrate as you play. A hard, dry reed will crack rather than vibrate. Single reeds for instruments such as clarinet & saxophone are soaked by sucking them before placing them on the instruments. Double reeds for Oboe, Cor Anglais & Bassoon need to be soaked in water due to the different shape of the reed. Sucking them in the mouth does not soak the entire reed.
Instruments such as a drum
What? Guitars strings vibrate resonating inside the guitar. Similar with the violin the bow scrapes the string to make it vibrate and resonate. Harp use reeds that vibrate at different speeds to produce pitch
Panpipe
OBOEThe oboe is similar to the clarinet in many ways. Both are made from wood and have metal keys that can produce many notes rapidly. Unlike the clarinet, the oboe does not have a mouthpiece, but has two reeds tied together. By placing them between one's lips and blowing air through them, the reeds vibrate and produce a sound.
vibrating reeds
I left my spare reeds at home. These reeds are used for musical instruments by the natives.
the two reeds vibrate, and vibration creates sound.
OboeThe oboe is similar to the Clarinet in many ways. Both are made from wood and have metal keys that can produce many notes rapidly. Unlike the clarinet, the oboe does not have a mouthpiece, but has two reeds tied together. By placing them between one's lips and blowing air through them, the reeds vibrate and produce a sound.
A single reed is one piece of wood (normally bamboo) that needs something to vibrate against to create sound. A clarinet or saxophone are single reed instruments, and they both have a mouthpiece, single reed, and ligature to hold the reed against the mouthpiece so it can vibrate. A double reed is two reeds that are like a sandwich and they vibrate against each other, so they don't need a mouthpiece or ligature. An oboe or bassoon use double reeds, and double reeds are harder to blow on than single reeds.
All reeds need to be soaked to soften them before playing. This allows them to vibrate as you play. A hard, dry reed will crack rather than vibrate. Single reeds for instruments such as clarinet & saxophone are soaked by sucking them before placing them on the instruments. Double reeds for Oboe, Cor Anglais & Bassoon need to be soaked in water due to the different shape of the reed. Sucking them in the mouth does not soak the entire reed.
Harmonicas and pan flutes are both made with a number of sections, each containing reeds, that are bound together into a single musical instrument..
They are moistened and put on the mouthpiece of a woodwind instrument. The instrument is then blown into causing the reed to vibrate and making music.
Instruments such as a drum
What? Guitars strings vibrate resonating inside the guitar. Similar with the violin the bow scrapes the string to make it vibrate and resonate. Harp use reeds that vibrate at different speeds to produce pitch
The bagpipe is part of the woodwind family. This is because it has reeds and you blow into it.
Panpipe