Klarinet Archive - Posting 000318.txt from 1994/11

From: Fred McKenzie <Frederick.McKenzie-1@-----.GOV>
Subj: Re: national schools
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1994 15:16:04 -0500

On Wed, 23 Nov 1994, Steve Prescott wrote:

> I thought "transient", in Physics, refered to the sound decay. More
> specifically, decay over time. I don't think the attack has much to do
with
> it other than initiating the tone...am I not thinking clearly? Please
> explain.

And Cary Karp responded:

The term transient when applied to vibrating systems normally refers to
the initial transient, which provides many of the cues used to identify
the source of a sound.

Cary and Steve-

I think you are both "sort of" right! My understanding is that "transient"
refers to the initial change, such as the mallet hitting the bell. The decay
over time is the "transient response" or ringing of the bell. The sound of
the decay (or ringing) of various transitions, may be what is really meant
with respect to "national schools".

Fred