Reed instruments need no resonator reinforcement of their fundamental frequency

Evidence

Because the reed itself fixes the f0 of the pipe, the resonator does not need to reinforce the fundamental, and fractional length resonators are sometimes used to support only the higher harmonics. Figure 4.22 shows waveforms and spectra for middle C (C4) played on a hautbois 8′, or oboe 8′, and a trompette 8′, or trumpet 8′. Both spectra exhibit an overall peak around the sixth/seventh harmonic. For the trompette, this peak is quite broad, with the odd harmonics dominating the even ones up to the tenth harmonic, probably a feature of its resonator shape. The hautbois spectrum exhibits more dips in the spectrum than the trompette—these are all features that characterize the sounds of different instruments as being different. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1208

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the oboe vs. trumpet spectral difference discussion and to how timbre is characterized in prior chapters. — connects to: In organ reed pipes the resonator does not control the reed’s frequency — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1206; Reed instruments can use resonators shorter than full pipe length — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1208; Reed instruments can use fractional-length resonators because reeds fix the fundamental frequency (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• In organ reed pipes the resonator does not control the reed’s frequency #corroborates (0.93) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1206
• Reed instruments can use fractional-length resonators because reeds fix the fundamental frequency #expands (0.92)
• Reed instruments can use resonators shorter than full pipe length #expands (0.88) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1208
• Hard reeds fix pitch, freeing resonators to shape only harmonics #expands (0.84)
• The air reed’s fundamental frequency is set solely by resonator length and end condition #complicates (0.78) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1154