Audio performance comparison and analysis of bio-composite bassoon reed design

Bassoon reeds, commonly made with Arundo donax, often contain inconsistent audio and structural performance due to their natural degradation from exposure to saliva and humidity. They are a necessary tool to produce sound and are reported to be an expensive recurring cost. The combined cost of musical lessons and instrument upkeep creates a financial barrier for musicians. Made from polypropylene, synthetic reeds are commercially available; however, they have shown inconsistencies in the physical profile and sound. In this experiment, the audio performance of a bio-composite reed design, Fermata, is proposed and analyzed in an effort to introduce alternative reed options. Spectrograms and FFT plots were constructed after recording pitches at F2, F3, and F4 for four beats, tapering at the end and repeated five times per pitch case. Comparisons and audio analyses are made between Arundo donax, synthetic, and the Fermata reed. The current work indicates that polymer selection directly impacts overtone propagation and timbre brightness for a select range of pitch.