Re: Re: [Harp-L] The shapes of the covers




----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 10:15 AM
Subject: Re: Re: [Harp-L] The shapes of the covers



Vern Smith wrote:
I predict that in a blind comparison of machine-blown diatonics,
listeners could not distinguish between groups of harps with covers
and no covers (much less covers having minor design differences) by
the sound alone.  I suggest that any effort to achieve nuances of
tone (warm, bright, etc.) by means of cover design is wasted.

Who the hell wants to listen to a machine play a harmonica?

No one who wishes to hear a musical performance. Only those interested in whether or not cover design perceptibly affects tone would choose to listen. Unlike a human player, a machine could be relied on to blow every harp in exactly the same way.


And who cares what the listener hears?

If differences of cover design are imperceptible to the audience, why bother.


What about what the *player* hears?

The player is a listener too. If there is a way to deny the player knowledge of what kind of covers he is playing, I predict that he would not be able to to distinguish among covers of different designs. Maybe have a second person stand behind the player and hold the harp for him.


The whole point of a blind comparison is to eliminate the human variables inherent in a musical performance. Our concern would be acoustics, not art.

Vern







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