Double reed

A tongue is a party to the vibration generating member of many musical instruments. It is a one-side fixed leaflets made ​​of flexible material, which is brought by an air flow to vibrate.

• 5.1 single-reed
• 5.2 double-reed

• 6.1 Dielectric end tongue
• 6.2 End date tongue
• 6.3 Retaliation tongue
• 6.4 Influences on the pitch of blades

Basic types

Reed

Many woodwind instruments have reeds, and are therefore also called reed instruments. This type of tongue shows no pronounced natural frequency, but the oscillation frequency (pitch) is determined by the column of air in the instrument. As this air column can be changed by the player takes is a single reed to the instrument to all pitches to be able to ( for example, three octaves) produce within a wide range.

Other reeds

The tongue in the narrow sense (and in the expression of a breakdown tongue, see below) is used for example in harmonica instruments such as the harmonica and the accordion. Under normal conditions, it resonates with their given due to material and dimensions of natural frequency. In simplified terms, therefore, brings a tongue sticking out only a single pitch. A column of air ( resonant cavity ), which communicates with the tongue affects the tone, but volume and pitch are only slightly affected. By the term tongue or reed is meant in practice most of this basic type. For more detailed description see main article: Striking- tongue.

Despite this essential functional difference in the two types of general - music-theoretical literature are often referred to indiscriminately as tabs or fins. In the instrument classification of Hornbostel and Sachs both tongue and reed instruments themselves are sounding interrupt aerophones.

Designs

In two basic types, there are three possible forms: as a Resounding tongue, striking end tongue and Retaliation tongue.

The resounding tongue, also known as free- vibrating reed or reed can vibrate through an associated opening. The vibration is created by a current of air presses the tongue through the opening, so that it can pass. The resilient tongue now oscillates back through the opening while the opening is closed shortly, so that the air flow is interrupted. The resulting dynamic pressure pushes the tongue back through the opening, etc.

The beating tongue - called as simple reed reed - is mounted on a carrier before an opening and closes it except for a gap. When blowing into the air stream flows through the opening by the vacuum generated by the flow of the gap is closed, the air flow is thus interrupted, the tongue vibrates thereby returning to the starting position, the air can press through the opening again, etc.

The Retaliation tongue - known as reed double reed - consists of two identical tongues that are attached at the end of the air tube, mirror each other, face and let idle a small gap in between them. The air flows through this gap into the tube. The negative pressure of the flow leaves the tongues beat against each other, thus closing the gap. Of the spring effect of the tongues will open the gap again, and so on

Material of tube sheets

The single or double reeds of woodwind instruments are made from giant reed that grows in the south of France, Spain and Argentina. Hence the name originates reed.

For double reeds and polystyrene is used in bagpipes today. The material is commonly cut from the side walls of yoghurt cups, as the material already has the necessary curvature in this case. There are also, for example, for training purposes, oboe and bassoon reeds made ​​of fiberglass.

Material for other tongues

For resounding tongues mainly metal is used. Also, some impacting tongues are made of metal. The reeds for accordions were formerly made ​​of bronze or brass, found mainly in steel. The reeds for harps are still made ​​of special brass alloys because steel tongues corroded by the damp breath ( rust ) would. But other materials are also conceivable for reeds, for example prototypes were made of reeds made ​​of titanium.

In bagpipes also polystyrene or glass fiber reinforced plastic for the impacting tongues of drones is used today. Children Harmonicas plastic usually have plastic reeds.

Instruments with reed

Single-reed

From the single-reed musicians is briefly referred to as "leaf". Simply tube sheets are used on the mouthpieces of clarinets and saxophones. One of the oldest instruments with single-reed include launeddas still used today from Sardinia and the Sipsi from the Near East.

Double-reed

Musicians of the double tube sheet is referred to as " pipe ". Double reeds are to Schalmeiinstrumenten as oboe, bassoon, suona, zurna, Chanai Pi, Pi Or and used in the chanter bagpipes many forms. One of the oldest instruments with double reeds is the Aulos from Greece. The sound of the ancient Greek aulos is similar to the duduk played in today's Armenia.

Other instruments with tongues

Striking- tongue

The instruments with punch tongues include the harmonium, accordion and its variants, the harmonica, the East Asian mouth organs ( sheng, khaen, Shō, Hulusi ) and some organ pipes. The Bawu has a single punch tongue, and its pitch can be changed by means of handle holes over about an octave; insofar as it is between the tongue and the reed instruments. Anggong Pi, Pi Yen, Pi are the other instruments with free reeds and similar design.

In the Jew's harp by beating tongue is stimulated by a finger. Reinforced Simultaneous respiratory airflow and only prolongs the sound, the actual sound generation it's construcion rarely used.

End date tongue

End date tongues are used in the drones of many bagpipes and especially in the Lingualpfeifen of organs.

Retaliation tongue

Retaliation tabs are available in the drones of some bagpipes.

Influence on the pitch of blades

The pitch is affected by the dimensions, material and shape of the tongue, as well as impacting the impact surface of the tongues and a small proportion of the air pressure. The height of the resulting sound depends on the mass distribution of the tongue. A sweeping or beating tongue can be tuned up, at the free end after removing a little material, thereby losing its inertia, or lower, by performing and adds some material. Likewise, it is deeper, if you take away material in the middle. Generally resounding tongues react less to changes in air pressure as impacting tongues and Retaliation tongues.