The Physical and Mechanical Properties of Arundo donax (L.) Reeds Affect Their Acoustic Quality

Arundo donax (L.) is a perennial monocot (Poaceae) native to Asia, which has spread throughout the Mediterranean region. Its hollow stem has been used for millennia to produce reeds, thin strips whose vibration is modulated by musical instruments such as oboes and saxophones. Significant differences in sound quality occur among reeds of different provenances, despite the extreme genetic homogeneity of A. donax, mainly due to its clonal mode of reproduction. Reed samples from three different provenances and different sound qualities were analyzed. Samples of dissected internodes of selected brands were examined to determine material density and mechanical properties along the stem radius. These characteristics vary between the brands and change with the sample thickness (along the radius of the stem) according to a power function. Next, Ashby graphs were used to compare the properties of Arundo reed samples with those of other natural materials. Using Ashby graphs potentially provides indications for producing musical reeds of the desired sound quality.