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

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

A harmonica on the wheel would be going faster than the car when above the axle and slower when below the axle.  If it could be on the outside perimeter of the tire it would be stopped at the instant it touched the ground but would be moving at twice the speed of the car at its highest point.

A person on the sidewalk can not play along with the carmonica.  Doppler shift causes the chords to be sharp while approaching and flat when departing.

The wind resistance of all those harps reduces the gas mileage at musical speeds.  You didn't think that you would get all of that music free did you?

Vern


On Mar 24, 2011, at 5:51 PM, Joe Leone wrote:

> 
> On Mar 24, 2011, at 6:09 PM, Vern wrote:
> 
>> 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).
> 
> This is true. I noticed that at speeds under 30 mph, harmonicas rarely sound. Sometimes when gapped tightly. 
>> 
>> 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).
> 
> I noticed that too. It seemed that at speeds of 90.97 up to 136.4, there was no descernible increase in volume of sound. And at that speed, I felt that the wind, engine, tire, transmission, and road noise negated whatever increase in volume occurred. 
>> 
>> 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.
> 
> Fear would present itself to those who are unused to traveling at these speeds. For those used to chasing others at these speeds, fear is not a factor. Adrenalin cancels this factor out.  
>> 
>> If you could go 40 mph in reverse, you could play the draw chords.
> 
> I don't believe this. Going backwards is only going to draw air into the rear of the harmonica. And as I have tried to play this way, the sound just doesn't occur in any dependable way. 
> 
>> Put some on the wheels for vibrato.
> 
> Placing harmonicas on the wheels should produce a lot of sound at lesser speeds as the speed of the spinning wheels is much greater than the speed of the car. 
>> 
>> 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.
> 
> I confirm your figures. And. let's face it, that's all you really need. As I am the most unforgettable character you will ever meet. 
>> 
>> 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.
> 
> I agree. And a dozen would give you more of a chance of being in tune. There is nothing more horrible than out of tune harmonica music. I remember once being deep in the jungles of Costa Rica and hearing these drums. I asked a local resident "What's with the ferschlugginer drums". He held his finger up to his lips and said "Shhh, drums good, drums very good". I found out what he meant a few minutes later when the drums quit. Everyone was running and scattering everywhere. Apparently out of fear. I asked the local "What's with the running scared deal". With a shocked look on his face he said "Oh no, this is bad. This is very bad. Here comes the harmonica solo". 
> 
> smokey joe       He put the harm in harmonica 
>> 
>> 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)
>> 
>> 
>> 
>