Reed for single-reed woodwind instruments

摘要

A reed for single-reed woodwind instruments formed of natural cane wood and comprising a heel section and a tapered tip section. The heel's top surface comprises the bark of the cane, and the remainder of the reed constitutes natural cane wood fibers or “grain.” A plurality of slits are cut into the top surface of the heel section in a direction consistent with and parallel to the grain of the cane wood. Each slit extends through, and along the length of, the layer of cane bark, creating a discontinuous bark structure (but preferably not disturbing the underlying cane wood grain). This discontinuous bark structure prevents the cane bark from causing the reed to warp as the wood fibers expand (more rapidly than the bark) due to the absorption of moisture during each initial period of use. This prevention of warping allows the reed to maintain its response, tone, and power.