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2001-09-08

 
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2001 16:15:56 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] Curved Saxophones
 

>The sound in woodwinds leaks out of their holes differently on every
>note.  Not like our beloved brasses.  So I would expect the
>shape-hearability to be complicated.  However, from my experience
>with tubas and my peculiar violin set up, I have come to realize
>that very small changes in ear (or microphone) placement can have
>large effects in the preceived sound, especially for ears that are
>locked into one position in the near-field of the instrument.
>
>Oscar

My recollection is that a certain percentage of the sound from
woodwind instruments always "beams" straight out from the bell,
regardless of the note being fingered.  The beamed component has a
disproportionate amount of the higher partials, providing an edgier
sound, while more of the note fundamental radiates from the highest
few (2 or 3) open holes.  You can get still a different mix by using
a pickup, typically inserted in the neck (e.g., of a saxophone) or
the headjoint of a flute (replacing the end cork).

The amazing thing is that musical instruments tend to sound
remarkably consistent, despite the variations that scientific
instruments tell us actually exist.  A lot of signal processing goes
on between the ear drum and our conscious experience...

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green                   http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool  ->  http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2001 17:13:53 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: [CB] Dave's trip to the Shrine
 

Some of you may recall mention of Dave Richoux's trip to South Dakota
and the Shrine to Music from a few weeks ago.  Well, Dave sent me
a few of the pictures, which I've posted on the contrabass site.
Available are:

If you wait until Monday, I'll probably have this posted in the
archives at http://www.contrabass.com/2001/2001-09-08.html, and you
can just click on the links :-)

Enjoy,

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green                  http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool  ->  http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
***End of Contrabass Digest***


 
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