Suitability of acetylated woods for clarinet reed

The density (), dynamic Young's modulus (E), loss tangent (tan_L) in the longitudinal (L) direction, and the dynamic shear modulus (G), loss tangent (tan_S) in the LT or LR (T, tangential; R, radial) plane of woods and cane (Arundo donax L.) in air-dried and wet conditions were measured. The acoustic converting efficiency (ACE), expressed by E/³/tan_L, and the factors of anisotropy, expressed byE/G and tan_S/tan_L, of woods were compared with those of the canes. Low-density coniferous woods had higher ACE values and were of a more anisotropic nature than the cane. These woods seemed appropriate for clarinet reed owing to their homogeneous cellular structure. The stability in vibrational properties and the anticreep properties of the woods were enhanced by the acetylation treatment. Professional clarinet players suggested that acetylated Glehn's spruce and sitka spruce were suitable for clarinet reeds.Part of this report was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society at Shizuoka, April 1998