The shallot is the slotted tube against which the reed beats. It is clamped, together with the reed, into the block by the wedge. Shallots are usually of soldered brass construction, though on some bass reed pipes they may be made from hardwood.

The degree of taper and the shape and profile of the slot have a significant influence on the tone produced by the pipe.

Examples are shown below for comparison.

Clarinet (Wurlitzer)

English Horn

French Horn

Kinura (Wurlitzer)

Muted Trumpet

Oboe Horn (Wurlitzer)

Orchestral Oboe (Wurlitzer)

Small brass weight on a reed

Large brass weight on a reed