Reeves, J
Sims.
Composer; England.
Tenor; England. B. (Fr.) (onsh), Ancia (It.) (an'-che-a). The technical name for the small thin strip of metal, cane, or wood, the vibration of which causes the sound of a variety of instruments. There are three kinds of reeds: (1) The single beating reed of instruments of the clarionet family; also of the reedstops of the organ. (2) The double reed of the hautboy and bassoon family, also of the bagpipe; these two varieties are never used except in conjunction with a tube or pipe. (3) The free reed of the cabinet-organ, vocalion, etc. This reed may be used with or without a tube. The effect of the tube when combined with the free reed is analogous to that of a resonator, i. e., the vibration of the contained air is sympathetic, whereas in the other cases the vibration of the reed is controlled by the column of air.