Wind instruments produce sound by means of the interaction of nonlinear generator element (air jet, reed, or vibrating lips, for example) and the acoustical feedback provided by a resonator. The resulting nonlinear system exhibits interesting behavior, such as bifurcation points and regions with multistability.

The candidate is expected to familiarize with the theory of sound production by wind musical instruments in general, and then develop a simplified model of the sound generation by the clarinet. By exploring the parameter-space of the simplified model, the stability of the system and regimes of sound production can be identified.