reedduct

Reedduct is a term used in acoustics and instrument design to describe a small duct, channel, or passage near a vibrating reed that is intended to influence the airflow that sustains the reed's vibration. The concept is most often discussed in the context of wind instruments and organ reeds, where precise control of air pressure, direction, and turbulence can affect attack, dynamic range, and timbre. The term is not standardized, and its exact meaning varies among authors and designers.

In practice, a reedduct may be integrated into a mouthpiece, a reed block, or the junction between the mouthpiece and the instrument body. It can take various forms, such as a narrow channel that directs air from the player's lips toward the reed, a supplemental bleed duct that reduces pressure fluctuations, or a small plenum that cushions the reed's onset. Materials range from traditional wood and metal to modern polymers, and cross-sections may be circular, rectangular, or irregular to fit the architecture of a given instrument.

Applications include experimental mouthpiece design for clarinets or saxophones, organ reed stops, and wind-instrument research. In some studies, reedduct features have been associated with improved attack stability, reduced bite pressure, and more consistent response across dynamics, though results are highly instrument-specific.

See also: reed (instrument), air duct, wind instrument design, acoustics.