The sound of a reed pipe is produced by a beating "reed": wind is directed towards a curved piece of brass (the reed), which causes it to vibrate against a hard surface called the "shallot".
The sound of a reed pipe is produced by a beating "reed". Wind is directed towards a curved piece of brass (the reed). A beating "reed": wind is directed towards a curved piece of brass (the reed) causes it to vibrate against a hard surface. This hard surface is called the "shallot".