Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH 2010 Comb Test: Retraction & Apology

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

On Sep 1, 2010, at 2:15 PM, rob paparozzi wrote:

> 
> I don' think you have a pianist or violinist having a materials debate, I wonder why?
> 
Because.....

......in a harmonica the sound is generated by the variations in air flow as the reed opens and closes the slot. The sound travels through the air to your ear without passing through any material of the reed, comb, or covers.  Therefore, the sound is unaffected by the materials of which these parts are made.

......in a stringed instrument, the sound is generated by the vibration of the string and must pass through the materials of the bridge and the large top/soundboard to be coupled to the air.  

The false analogy with stringed instruments that you mentioned is probably the origin of the harmonica materials myth.

According to my three books of musical acoustics, the materials of wind instruments (including organ pipes) do not affect their sound.  That is hard to swallow if you have paid five figures for a gold flute!

Vern