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Re: reed strength

Author: mrn
Date: 2011-05-15 16:17

David wrote:

> But, the reed strength has nothing to do with the dimensions of the reed.
> They all are the same dimension among the same make of reed.

Just to clarify--that depends on what you are referring to as "reed strength."

If we're talking about the strength printed on the box by the manufacturer, then you're absolutely right--the manufacturer cuts all the reeds of the same make/model of reed to the same dimensions, so how they are graded as to strength depends solely on the material properties of the cane.

However, if we're talking about how one reed responds on a given mouthpiece vis-a-vis another (possibly from a different manufacturer or modified by the player), then the dimensions *do* come into play. The bending strength of a solid object depends on the shape and relative dimensions of its cross section, as well as the inherent strength of the material involved.

The range of different strengths of reeds for a single make/model depends only on the material properties simply *because* the manufacturing practice is to hold the dimensions of reeds within a single make/model fixed. Presumably, they do that to try to make the reeds as consistent as possible within their manufacturing capabilities.

Changing the dimensions of the reed will change the strength, though, too, which is what makes it possible to "balance" a reed to compensate for non-uniformities in the material strength of the cane that can occur within a single reed (because cane is a natural product).

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reed strength new

fernie51296

2011-04-16 23:50