reed
instrumentsreed
A thin strip of cane or synthetic material that vibrates to produce sound in woodwind instruments.
A reed is a precisely shaped piece of Arundo donax cane (or synthetic equivalent) that vibrates when air is blown across or through it. Single reeds (used by clarinets and saxophones) are flat strips clamped to a mouthpiece. Double reeds (used by oboes, bassoons, and cor anglais) consist of two pieces of cane bound together.
Reed-making is a craft that consumes enormous time and effort for double-reed players. Professional oboists and bassoonists make their own reeds, shaving and adjusting the cane to achieve the exact response, tone, and pitch they need. A single reed might take 30-60 minutes to make and last only a few hours of playing. Temperature, humidity, and altitude all affect reed behavior.