Influence of the anatomical structure and wet–dry cycling on the acoustic performance of Arundo donax L. (Poaceae) clarinet reeds

Abstract Arundo donax L., commonly known as giant reed, has long been used for the production of reeds for woodwind instruments, such as the clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon. To date, no scientific reports have documented the suitability of giant reed grown in Thailand for woodwind reed manufacturing. In this study, natural giant reed collected from various locations in Northern Thailand was evaluated for clarinet reed manufacturing. After 5 months of seasoning, the anatomical structure, physical characteristics, and the effects of air-drying and repeated wet–dry cycling on the mechanical strength and basic acoustic properties of the giant reed canes were investigated. In addition, the musical performance quality of the reeds was compared with that of traditionally cultivated cane. The results indicated that the anatomical features of Thai giant reed canes, particularly the size of vascular bundles, xylem, and fiber bands, were significantly larger than those of giant reed growing in plantation settings. Air-drying caused no significant changes in the strength properties of Thai giant reed canes. In contrast, wet–dry cycling led to a noticeable improvement in the acoustic performance, with hardness increasing to levels comparable to that of the commercial giant reed canes. These findings indicate that the giant reed grown in Thailand possesses favorable anatomical and acoustic characteristics for clarinet-reed manufacturing, providing a potential cost-effective local alternative to the imported plantation-grown giant reed cane.