Free-reed (Noun)
Meaning
A reed that does not fit closely over the aperture.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The harmonica's distinctive sound is produced by its free-reed design, allowing air to flow through the instrument in both directions.
- Free-reed instruments like the accordion and concertina have been used in various forms of folk music for centuries.
- The free-reed mechanism of the reed organ produces a unique timbre that is often associated with early 20th-century music.
- In contrast to single-reed instruments, free-reed instruments can produce sound when air is drawn in as well as blown out.
- The free-reed construction of the sheng, an ancient Chinese instrument, allows for a wide range of tonal possibilities.