Klarinet Archive - Posting 000097.txt from 1996/10

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Overtone dependancy
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 1996 15:56:12 -0400

On Fri, 4 Oct 1996, Fogle, Bill wrote:

> This overtones issue is one that gets addressed in discussions of brands
> of pianos. Steinway is the instrument that produces a "complex" bunch of
> overtones (compared to a Boesendorfer).. It's a "complex" sound with a
> lot going on beside the fundamental. Is it bad? I'd like to hear more
> about it.

I admit that I have never made a harmonic anaylsis of either a Steinway or
A Boesendorfer, but the differences between them would have to be a lot
more subtle than is implied here. In the case of either instrument,
playing any tone would cause all the partials to sound. Where there might
be a difference would be in the number of partials present in a tone, and
the relative intensity of the upper partials. That would be fairly easy
to measure, but it very likely would not be so easy to draw any
supportable conclusions from the analysis. Nor, would it be probable that
any decisions could be made about the construction of the piano in order
to enhance whatever qualities of the harmonic spectrum might be thought to
be desirable.

Ed Lacy
*****************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
*****************************************************************