How Fast Is Reed Vibration?

A clarinet reed vibrates at its tip at about 5 m/s — between 440 and 4,400 Hz depending on the pitch played. The reed itself is just a thin sliver of cane, no thicker than a coin, vibrating thousands of times per second.

The first clarinets, built around 1700 by Johann Christoph Denner, had only 2 keys. The modern instrument has 17.

• Same pace as steam from a kettle
• Vibrates at 440-4,400 Hz