Klarinet Archive - Posting 000483.txt from 1997/09

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: blind test challenge
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 22:38:03 -0400

Just give me the names of the 2 clarinets to do a blind test with, and I'll
let you know what results I came up with. I love doing blind tests. Are
there any 2 instruments (one plastic, one wooden) that I COULD even do that
test with. Apples to Apples: Oranges to other citrus fruits won't cut it
(pardon the pun) ;)
David C. Blumberg
Principal Clarinet Riverside Sym.

Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 08:27:13 -0500 (CDT)
From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subject: Re: ending the GreenLine plastic/composite thread

It is subjective to believe that a person decides, not by the blowing but
by the feeling! The tester certainly does not know if the person can
distinguish between them! A lot of talk about scientific process
.....when the bottom line is, using the hands on a horn does in fact
affect resistance of the air pressure. I certiainly would want to use my
own fingers over the horn than rely on someone else's ....or a machine for
that matter!

Roger Garrett

On Tue, 9 Sep 1997, Jonathan Cohler wrote:
>
> 1. Use the same mouthpiece/reed/ligature, with the same player
> for all instruments.
>
> 2. Don't allow the player to touch the instrument. Have someone
> else finger notes for him.
>
> Now, if the instruments have precisely the same blowing/sound
> characteristics, the same player with the same setup will not be able to
> distinguish between them (in any statistically useful way). This has been
> demonstrated in experiment.
>
>
> On the other hand, people may certainly convince themselves that things
> sound or feel different when they, in fact. do not. But if they cannot do
> this with repeatability in blind experiments then it is meaningless.
>
> And certainly, people are entitled to have aesthetic preferences (plast vs.
> wood vs metal etc.).