Summer Reed Horn– Snake Grass-Inspired Fun

Summer Reed Horn – Snake Grass-Inspired Double-Reed Fun

Made for summer fun!
This design was inspired by a spontaneous walk to the river on a hot day. We found a clump of snake grass and made simple whistles for fun. When I got home, I thought, “What if it were louder… lower… maybe even a bit obnoxious?” That moment turned into this: a playful, 3D-printed double-reeded horn that's perfect for making noise and memories on summer afternoons.

Inspired by the shape and sound of a crumhorn, this simple horn delivers a strong reed-like buzz and is great for lighthearted fun. I also experimented with an oboe-style version, but it doesn't change pitch reliably, so it’s more of a curiosity than a real instrument.

I've included several sizes, each producing a slightly different tone, and one version with finger holes. The fingered version doesn’t work particularly well, but it might be a fun experiment. If anyone has advice on making it actually work, I am certainly open to suggestions.

And just to set expectations: I have no real experience designing musical instruments, this is 100% summer silliness turned into plastic.

Why Use the Summer Reed Horn?

✅ Loud and buzzing double-reed sound
✅ Born from real summer play and curiosity
✅ Fun to build and even more fun to annoy people with
✅ Easy to print and tweak for your own sound experiments

How to Use It:

1️⃣ Print in PLA or PETG with minimal supports.
2️⃣ Fit the reed pieces snugly (adjust for airflow or pitch if needed).
3️⃣ Blow and buzz! Great for backyard antics, hikes, and riverside noise-making.

🪵 How to Make the Snake Grass Reed

Want to try the natural version that inspired this horn? Here’s how to turn snake grass into a simple, buzz-worthy reed:

1. Find some snake grass.
   It grows in segmented, jointed stalks and is pretty easy to spot, kind of like skinny bamboo.

   

2. Take a segment.
   The segments separate easily, take a section and cut off the part that has the divider so you have a hollow tube

   

3. Pinch the bottom end.
   Gently flatten it with your fingers. If the bottom is too soft or flexible, trim a little off first.

   

4. Create the reed split.
   Pinching should naturally split the sides. If it doesn’t, you can make a tiny slit on each side to form two reeds.
5. Time to buzz.
   Blow into the pinched end. Make sure your lips are far enough onto the grass that they’re not holding the reeds still, you want them to vibrate freely. You have to blow just right and each reed is going to be a little different, so this may take some experimention

6. Drop it in the horn.
   Slide it into the top of the 3D-printed horn and annoy your friends with your new-found summer power.

   

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