Abstract
The effect of water-soluble extractives on the acoustic properties of a reed (Arundo donax L.) used for the vibrating plate of a clarinet was investigated at various relative humidities (RH). At low RH levels, the extractives enhanced the dynamic Young’s modulus of the reed. This effect was reduced with increasing RH because of the deliquescence of extractives. It was suggested that the quality of the reed is improved by the extractives reinforcing its dry part. The extractives also increase the density and the internal friction of the reed remarkably. These might affect the frequency response of the reed to make the tone richer and softer. The tone quality of the reed lost by the removal of extractives was reproduced by impregnating the reed with glucose, which is the most abundant constituent of natural extractives.
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