Fwd: [Harp-L] Re: Comb Debate Revisited

[Frank Mangiapane <frank.mangiapane@xxxxxxxxx>]

*
*
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Frank Mangiapane <frank.mangiapane@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, Jul 19, 2010 at 6:53 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Comb Debate Revisited
To: Brendan Power <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


*Oh, I'm sorry, I thought the object of the test was to detect if
there exists any difference in the sound of the different comb-inations, and
if there was a detecteble difference that the participants would then use
adjectives such as bright/dull,etc.,etc., to explain what ever differences
they percieved in tone ,timbre, volume, etc. I stand corrected! In any
case I still would like to see Superman as one of the participants, I'm sure
he could get there on a moments notice.
*

On Mon, Jul 19, 2010 at 4:41 AM, Brendan Power <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

>  Frank, no-one is being asked to "tell the difference"... After each test,
> the players are simply reporting their impressions of whether the harps
> sound bright/dull, loud/soft etc.
>
> Brendan Power
> WEBSITE: http://www.brendan-power.com
> YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* Frank Mangiapane [mailto:frank.mangiapane@xxxxxxxxx]
> *Sent:* 17 July 2010 16:22
> *To:* Brendan Power
> *Cc:* Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> *Subject:* Re: [Harp-L] Re: Comb Debate Revisited
>
>   *I predict that under the conditions of the proposed test that only
> Superman will be able to tell the difference and I am willing to bet a new
> "Manji" for a new  "1847" , any takers?
> *
> On Sat, Jul 17, 2010 at 9:49 AM, Brendan Power <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
>> BluzeHarp said: "That said... and without changing anything about the
>> tests,
>> an audio
>> recording would be nice to have."
>>
>> That's already planned, Chris. Here's the summary once more (with a bit of
>> extra detail), for anyone who didn't see the original post:
>> ------------------
>> -----------------
>>
>> THE COMB DEBATE REVISITED: Player, Close Listener & Spectrograph Test
>> Co-Conducted by Brendan Power & Vern Smith. Custom combs supplied by Chris
>> Reynolds
>>
>> The aim of this test is to see what can be discovered about the sounds of
>> a
>> harmonica with different comb materials, when listened to up-close under
>> controlled conditions by three parties: 1. Players 2. Close Human
>> Listeners
>> 3. Microphone and Spectrograph. One issue we hope to shed light on is "Can
>> the player perceive differences in comb materials?" The test is NOT aiming
>> to prove that right or wrong, simply to gather useful data for those who
>> are
>> interested in this question.
>>
>> In doing the testing, we will record spectrograph images of many common
>> comb
>> materials, and there could be some interesting ancillary data (eg.
>> possible
>> tonal differences between embouchures: Tongue Blocking vs. Lip Pursing vs.
>> U-Blocking).
>>
>> We will use only one set of diatonic reedplates and coverplates on all
>> combs, from a Hohner Marine Band Deluxe. Vern has made a special bracket
>> which will enable fast comb changes and mask the varying weights of the
>> different combs. The comb smell/feels will be masked so that the different
>> materials cannot be sensed by lips/tongue. The harps will be cleaned with
>> an
>> alcohol wipe between each test.
>>
>> We will be testing eight materials which are commonly used in diatonic
>> harmonica combs: Pear Wood, ABS Plastic, Diamondwood, Corian, Acrylic,
>> Brass, Bamboo, Aluminium Alloy. Aside from the stock Hohner combs, the
>> identically sized/shaped custom combs will be made to exacting
>> specifications by Chris Reynolds. They will be available for sale after
>> the
>> test.
>>
>> There will be six test players. They will be blindfolded and wear ear
>> mufflers between each test (so they cannot listen to the other testers
>> before/after their test). They will be respected names who have different
>> styles and embouchures (tongue block/lip purse/U block). For the
>> spectrograph readings, two single test tones of 3 seconds each will be
>> taken
>> for each comb: a blow and a draw on hole 4. For the test playing, each
>> player will choose a favourite selection of phrases which they duplicate
>> to
>> the best of their ability on every comb. Each playing test will last 20
>> seconds. Players will note their impressions immediately after each test,
>> in
>> isolation. The players will not confer or communicate with each other in
>> any
>> way during the testing procedure.
>>
>> The three Close Human Listeners (within 30 cm away from the played harp)
>> will also be blindfolded for each test, and not permitted to
>> confer/communicate with each other. They will also note their impressions
>> immediately after each test, in isolation.
>>
>> The impressions will be in the form of a short multi choice questionnaire
>> relating to commonly used descriptions of sound qualities. The
>> Players/Close
>> Listeners will be asked "Did the harp sound bright/dull, loud/soft,
>> full/thin"? The options for each sound choice will be weighted with three
>> numbers: 1. "Not Very" 2. "Average" 3. "Very".
>>
>> After the testing is concluded the results will be correlated with the
>> various
>> comb types and made available. The spectrograph images, test tones and all
>> playing clips will also be made available online for anyone to listen to.
>>
>> An audience is invited to attend the test but must remain silent when each
>> test is conducted, and must not influence the testing in any way.
>> ------------
>>
>> Thanks for all the suggestions. As noted, there are various ways to do
>> this
>> test, and this is the one I've settled on after a LOT of discussion with
>> Vern and Chris Reynolds. Vern has kindly agreed to help me with this test,
>> and will likely conduct a differently focussed test of his own in the
>> future. I hope so!
>>
>> As BluzeHarp also wisely said "The fun part (isn't that why we play) is
>> much
>> more in
>> the journey/debate. If this test leaves a few lingering questions then we
>> will have something more to look forward to."
>>
>> Indeed! My test is not intended to conclusively decide anything, simply
>> collect data and impressions in a careful way for the interest of the
>> wider
>> harp community, to help inform the debate. I hope people at SPAH will
>> attend
>> the test themselves to verify that we've done everything in as unbiased
>> and
>> fair a way as possible.
>>
>> So far for the test players I have Chris Michalek and Dave Barret, as a
>> lip
>> purser and tongue-blocker respectively. I'm looking for a good U-blocker:
>> can anyone recommend someone who will be at SPAH?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Brendan Power
>> WEBSITE: http://www.brendan-power.com
>> YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Franko
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-- 
Franko



-- 
Franko