Audio performance comparison and analysis across double reed materials, performance spaces, articulation and rhythmic variability, and melodic scales

Bassoon reeds, commonly constructed with Arundo donax, frequently contain inconsistent audio and structural performance due to their natural degradation from saliva and humidity exposure. Though a necessary tool for sound production, reeds are reported to be an expensive recurring cost which creates a financial obstacle for musicians. While nonorganic solutions such as polypropylene reeds are commercially available, they have demonstrated physical and acoustic inconsistencies. In a previous study, the audio performance of a bio-composite reed design, Fermata, was investigated as an effort to introduce alternative reed options. In this study, spectrograms and FFT plots were constructed after recording pure tone pitches and melodic lines. Comparisons and audio analyses were made across Arundo donax, synthetic, and Fermata reeds relative to performance spaces, articulation and rhythmic variability, and melodic scales. Current work indicates that reed selection and performance spaces impact the timbral coefficients despite sounding similar to the human ear.