Re: Re: [Harp-L] bends and reed fatigue

["Bob Maglinte" <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Garry Hodgson" <garry@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: Re: [Harp-L] bends and reed fatigue


> "Bob Maglinte" <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > The draw bends always seems louder because
> > it's actually the BLOW reed that does the bending when you do draw bends,
> > and the blow reeds being the top reed plate, your ears pickup the sound 
> > much
> > sooner,
>
> i don't understand this.  the speed of sound at room temperature is 
> 13584.0 inches/sec.
> assuming 4 inches of distance for the sound from the top reeds to get to 
> the ear,
> that's 0.00029 seconds.  assuming the bottom reeds are 1/4" further, their 
> sound
> takes 0.00031 seconds.  that's a 0.00002 second difference.  that's a 
> pretty tiny
> difference to register as a volume difference.  i also don't understand 
> why, if the
> delay is perceptible, it would be perceived as a difference in volume.
>
> what am i missing?
>
> ----
> Garry Hodgson, Technical Consultant, AT&T Labs

Hi Garry,
Rather than use a scientific/mathematical approach as your doing, trying 
doing it yourself with the cover plates OFF, and my point will be proved in 
a quiet room. To hear the difference, you need to listen in much more 
concentrated way than you normally would (or rather, listening with "bigger 
ears," as opposed to the way most people listen to music). One thing to 
remember, you have to do this acoustically to actually hear it. The 
difference is slight, but it IS there!!!

Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
MP3's: http://music.mp3lizard.com/barbequebob/