Re: [Harp-L] Discover the "Carmonica"

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

What fun!!

Reedplates on my tuning table begin to speak softly at an air pressure of about 0.5 inches of water.  This stagnation pressure occurs at about 31 miles/hour (50 kmph).

They speak at full volume at a pressure of about 5 inches of water.  This stagnation pressure occurs at about 99 miles per hour (159 kmph).    

Sooo.....my calculations predict that the carmonica will be silent below 30 mph, and sing with increasing loudness up to 100 mph.  At the higher speeds, I suspect that wind and engine noises will interfere with the music.  As we approach 100 mph, pleasure will give way to fear.

If you could go 40 mph in reverse, you could play the draw chords.
Put some on the wheels for vibrato.

Except for the shot in the parking garage, these numbers seem to agree roughly with the videos that show the car zipping along.

I would be interested to know if my numbers confirm experience with the car.  Anyone could check by holding a harp out the window of a moving car.

For those of you considering to equip your cars with external harmonicas, 330 may be overkill.  The ones in front probably interfere with the airflow to the ones close behind.  Even if they all make the same amount of sound, the difference in loudness between 100 and 330 is only 5 db.  I suggest that if well spaced, a dozen or so would get the job done.

Conclusion:  IF you wish to play carmonica, put the pedal to the metal.

I never expected that my two years working at a wind tunnel would one day be relevant to playing the carmonica!!!  

Vern


On Mar 24, 2011, at 11:55 AM, Robert Koch wrote:

> A car that plays harmonica !
> It's on my blog:
> http://juke-myharmonicablog.blogspot.com/
> Sunnyside
> (Tip: have it translated by Google)