reed-pipe
Definition
- Noun:
- A musical instrument made from a reed: A "reed-pipe" is a type of wind instrument that produces sound when air is blown across or through a reed, a thin strip of material (often cane or metal) that vibrates. It is typically made from a hollow stem of a reed plant or similar material.
- A pipe or tube made from reed: More broadly, it can refer to any hollow tube fashioned from a reed plant, used as a simple musical instrument or for other purposes.
Usage Examples
- (A simple wind instrument made from a reed-like plant.)
- (A historical wind instrument.)
- (The instrument produced a soft, reedy sound.)
Advanced Usage
"To pipe on a reed-pipe": to play music using a reed-pipe.
- The musician piped on a reed-pipe to accompany the dancers. (He performed on the instrument.)
"Reed-pipe of Pan": a reference to the panpipes, a set of reed-pipes of varying lengths tied together.
- The panpipes, also called the reed-pipe of Pan, are a traditional folk instrument. (A specific type of reed-pipe.)
Variants and Related Words
Reed (n): a tall, slender grass that grows in wet areas; also, the thin strip used in some musical instruments.
- The clarinet uses a single reed. (The vibrating strip in the mouthpiece.)
Pipe (n): a tube used to convey water, gas, or air; also, a simple wind instrument.
- He played a tune on a wooden pipe. (A simple flutelike instrument.)
Reed instrument (n): any musical instrument that produces sound by vibrating a reed, such as a clarinet, oboe, or saxophone.
- The oboe is a double-reed instrument. (A type of wind instrument.)
Synonyms
- Cane pipe: a pipe made from cane or reed.
- Panpipe: a set of reed-pipes of different lengths tied together.
- Shepherd's pipe: a simple reed-pipe often used by shepherds.
Related Idioms
- "To blow one's own reed-pipe": an uncommon idiom meaning to boast or praise oneself (similar to "to blow one's own trumpet").
- He is always blowing his own reed-pipe about his achievements. (He constantly brags.)