Re: [Harp-L] RE: Combs - I surrender with my last word

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Derwood Blues" <Derwood.Blues@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "harp-l" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 6:33 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] RE: Combs - I surrender with my last word



> I have willingly and humbly listened to those who's ideas challenge and
> contradict my ideas and I have learned from the exchange. But it is 
> honestly
> not an enjoyable exchange when my thoughts seem to be dismissed without
> being understood yet with with "expert" accuracy.

I can't speak for others, but I claim to have taken each question seriously 
and have answered as patiently and accurately as I could.  Where it seemed 
necessary to correct a misperception, I claim to have done so with an 
explanation, not a dismissal.

> Is sound production with
> the result of moving air from two sources truly "entirely different"? If 
> you
> connected a harmonica reed to a sound board would the note be the same?

If by "note" you mean the pitch, yes.  If you mean the tone and loudness as 
well, no.  When I was making reeds, I needed a way of checking their pitch 
without having to install them in a harp.  I glued a 1/8" thick piece of 
plywood in the end of a large can.  On the plywood, I put a little clamp to 
temporarily hold a reed.  The plucked reed was much louder than the same 
reed plucked in the harp but it did not sound like a blown reed.  I put the 
end with the mic of my electronic tuner in the open mouth of the can and it 
"heard" the note just fine.

> Is the vibration chopping air unrelated to the vibration that moves a 
> membrane?

The vibrating part (string or reed) obeys the same laws of physics as do all 
mechanical vibrations.  However, the means of coupling the vibration to the 
air is entirely different.

> What would happen if a guitar string was put in an environment where it
> would chop air?

It would very likely sound much like a harmonica.

> Would it produce an entirely different note?

Not unless the "chopper" attached to it changed its mass or springiness.  I 
assume that by "note" you mean "pitch".

> I guess I assumed that I should not be penalized for not having been a
> member of the list for years and years.

Almost everything said in the current thread was said years ago but has been 
repeated for the benefit of those of you who were not here then.

>  I guess I assumed that this was an
> exchange of ideas and hypothesis.

I posit that it is and has been.  Is your complaint that your questions have 
been dismissed without being answered, or is it that you don't like the 
answers?

Vern