Experimental study of nonlinear oscillations of a double-reed system

The nonlinear nature of double-reed systems used to induce oscillations in wind instruments such as the oboe and the bassoon has been the subject of some study, but is still not fully characterized. We have used high-speed photography in a purpose-built chamber to visualize both the transitory regime leading up to a quasi-stationary oscillation and the oscillation of the reeds themselves. In order to explore the relationship between the pressure drop across the reed and the flow through the reed we use tracing particles to analyze the direction of the flow as well as the flow velocity. The amplitude of the opening between the reeds is also examined as a function of pressure. [The authors acknowledge financial support from DGAPA-UNAM and in particular from grant PAPIIT IN117823.]