CHAP. IV.] 



WIND INSTRUMENTS. 



171 



In the flute and fife, the mouthpiece is an oval aperture, the edges 

 of which are bevelled, and in front of which the lips, serving as air- 

 conveyers, are placed. There is, moreover, this difference, that the 

 current of air determining the vibrations has a transversal direction 

 to that of the tube or pipe. 



Fifes are small flutes with six holes, the sharp and lively notes of 

 which relieve the performance of music. They are frequently used 

 in military bands. 



IT. WIND INSTRUMENTS WITH REEDS THE CLARIONET, HAUTBOY, 



AND BASSOON. 



Reed is the name given to an elastic plate arranged over the 

 opening of pipes to receive the action of the current of air which 

 is used in producing the sound. 



This plate al (Fig. 118) is adapted 

 in front of the aperture of a hollow 

 piece c d, either of wood or metal, 

 which is called the rigole. The plate 

 or tongue shuts the rigole when it 

 falls exactly over its edges ; when 

 not pressed down it leaves a passage 

 for the air and stands away from the 

 edges in its normal position. More- 

 over, a metal rod ra, with curved ends, 

 may be pressed more or less on the 

 tongue t, enabling the free portion to 

 be increased or diminished. It is this 

 free part which, in virtue of its elas- 

 ticity, vibrates under the influence 

 of the wind and communicates its 

 vibratory movement to the column of 

 air in the pipe. 



m i i r i 11 i , M FTO 118. FIG. 119. 



TlllS Kind Of reed IS Called a Stnk- Striking reed. Free reed. 



ing reed. 



In the free reed (Fig. 119) the tongue is fitted exactly on the aper- 

 ture of a small prismatic box which communicates with the mouth 



