Re: [Harp-L]Comb test

[Mike Fugazzi <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx>]

It would appear to me there are two issues at hand to test.  One, is there 
a change in sound between materials.  Two, is there a change in 
performance.  

The first is easy to test if you can fine a machine to do the playing.  The 
SPAH 2010 method inserts way too many variables to conclude anything.  What 
needs to be done is having the exact same design of comb (in different 
materials) being used by the exact same reed plates by the exact same sound 
source.  The audio needs to be recorded and analyzed over many trials. 
 Bottom line, can the audience hear a difference?

The second can't always be objective.  The subjective piece is totally 
relevant, though.  If a player, even incorrectly, assumes material makes a 
difference and responds as such, then they are right.  While it would be 
great to quantify that too - measure the change in playabillity, that seems 
harder, IMO.  You could measure response time of the sounding notes, I 
guess, but can you really tell the difference unless you are playing it?

On Monday, October 29, 2012 5:02:35 AM UTC-5, David Payne wrote:
>
> Absolutely 2010 SPAH test changed me. The fact "nobody can tell the 
> difference in comb material" had been browbeaten into me for years that I 
> had come to believe it and I had assigned various other attributes for 
> tone. 
> There were three combs I believe in that test. Two of them were very 
> close. Then there was another that when I heard it, it was like a fist in 
> the ear compared to the others. It stood out that much. I looked at the 
> reaction of the players and they're all looking like there is no 
> difference. There's no change in the audience's demeanor. I  thought "what 
> the hell, people? Surely you can hear this, for chrissakes." Everybody was 
> acting like they heard nothing. 
> I was just there as an observer, but I noted when I heard the brass and I 
> was usually right. There were times the brass did not sound like itself - 
> this was due to leaks that Brandon mentioned - the harps did sound, on 
> occasion, very weak. When all was equal, the brass rang like a telephone. I 
> still don't know how that didn't turn out to be the definite test that you 
> could tell the difference. I don't know if I was the only one paying 
> attention, I don't know if they should have passed out Q-tips before hand, 
> or if I was the only one who could hear it. But it was SOOOOO obvious.      
>  
>
> David Payne
> www.elkriverharmonicas.com
>
>
> Elk River Harmonicas Forum now available via Iphone app, 
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>
> ________________________________
>  From: Robert Hale <rob...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx <javascript:>>
> To: Harp L Harp L <har...@xxxxxxxxxx <javascript:>> 
> Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2012 6:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L]Comb test
>  
> Did anyone change their opinion following previous comb tests? Please check
> in with us.
>
> Robert Hale
> Spiral Advocate
> Learn Harmonica by Webcam
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>