Geometrical, Flexural and Vibroacoustical Characterization of Saxophone Reeds

The sound production by the saxophone, a single-reed wind instrument, relies mainly on the control of the vibration of a plate by the player’s lower lip and the air blown into the instrument. This vibrating plate is securely attached to the mouthpiece and is known as a reed. In this study, we have investigated eight different reeds, including both (natural) cane reeds and reeds made of synthetic materials, compared their design, material and vibroacoustic properties. The long-term aim of this study is to facilitate the fabrication of reeds aiming to aide musicians in customizing their reeds aligning with their specific needs