Physical, Mechanical and Acoustical Properties of Cane for Reeds

Abstract

Cane or the giant reed (Arundo donax), growing in Mediterranean regions, in the South of France, or South of Spain or in Italy is the raw material preferred by musicians for the reeds of clarinets, saxophones, oboes and bassoons. Australian cane growing in Adelaide region is also of good quality. Being a natural material, the cane exhibits very large variability in its physical, mechanical and acoustical properties. Cane is an anisotropic material, in which symmetry is orthotropic, determined by the directions of plant growth. Anatomic structure of cane is composed of the following main elements: vascular bundle. vascular bundle sheath, fibres and parenchyma cells. The distribution of these anatomic elements determines the quality of reeds. In this chapter, specifically addressed properties of cane (Arundo donax) are: the shrinkage, the density, the mechanical and acoustical properties expressed by the moduli of elasticity and the internal friction parameters—tan δ or Q factor. New materials were suggested for reeds.