Grenadilla Wood

Grenadilla wood, also known as African blackwood or Dalbergia melanoxylon, is a dense, lustrous hardwood native to Africa. It has long been favored for crafting woodwind instruments—principally clarinets, oboes, flutes, piccolos, recorders, and bagpipes—due to its exceptional stability, fine tonal qualities, and natural resistance to moisture. Its hardness and density allow for precise machining and long-lasting instruments, making it a staple for professional woodwind construction.

Historically, it has been used for centuries in musical instruments and other fine woodcrafts, from ancient furniture to Northumbrian and Highland pipes. High-quality Grenadilla wood billets are carefully dried to prevent cracking and ensure optimal performance. Because of overharvesting and the slow growth of the tree—taking up to 60 years to mature—the wood is considered rare and valuable today.

In the Community Band, Grenadilla wood is most often seen in our clarinets, oboes, and piccolos. Its warm, resonant tone enhances the ensemble’s sound, whether outdoors or in concert halls, giving our woodwinds that signature clarity and depth.