Density Testing
Density tested blanks are selected by testing each piece of cane for its density. What does this mean for clarinet blanks? Cane density is an estimation on the quantity and spacing of vascular bundles of xylem present in a piece of cane. Generally, the more dense a piece of cane is, the more likely it is to produce a more resistant reed.
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The Georg Rieger density tester can be used to compare the mass of a reed against the force it uses to displace water when submerged under water using the following equation:
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Density = dry mass/(dry mass + wet mass)
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Here's an example using the reed pictured above. Its mass measured dry was .81 g and its wet mass is .75g. (Ignore the negative value in the photo; wet mass is .75g.)
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.81g/(.81g +.75g) = .519g = round to .52
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The density of this reed is .52. In my density grading system, this would be of medium density.
Density Grading System
After working with my density tester for over a year, I have developed a system of grading cane into five grades that will produce playable reeds:
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Very high
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High
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Medium-high
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Medium
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Low-medium
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These grades are density levels from .49-.63 which correspond to the range of Vandoren reed strengths 3-5. Generally, cane with density lower than .49 or higher than .63 do not appear to produce good-sounding reeds.
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I am able to make clarinet reed blanks using this grading system and I can suggest which density grade which may work best for your mouthpiece. By selecting blanks this way, more blanks will be more likely to work for you by yielding the correct resistance for your set-up.
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