Author: Buster
Date: 2012-08-19 22:31
Donald,
I have been away from the computer for a few days and have only just now had a chance to read your reply.
I suppose there is needling (charitable or not) and down right jabbing... I think I strayed into the latter. Where-ever I fell, I'll take my hat in hand and simply say: in the future I will try not to be an ass. (And that I'm not seeking ammunition.)
When discussion comes down to the quantifiable mechanics of reed function, I obviously have no means to under-take a study as you did, nor can I claim to "understand" all the complex equations of fluid dynamics, etc... to even attempt to contradict any findings. I departed my studies in Calculus and Physics when I realized it took away time from other ventures (such as clarinets, saxophones, cars and girls.) I understand the equations in a far more bastardized, general way... though I can still glean the implications. (Perhaps my ability to solve multi-variable equations and do partial-derivatives is in hiding with Schrödinger's cat.)
And I must admit that I have not truly digested your dissertation in totality.....
I do have a question: increased bite pressure on the reed shifts its resonant modes away from their ideal location that best strengthen/stabilize wave interaction with the natural resonances of the bore... How does the change in flexion of the lower lip figure into the equation?
We can stretch the lip to the sides, or gather it forward.... or even let it become extremely "supple" through relaxation of the surrounding muscles; independent of the bite pressure.
Do the varying levels of lip flexion also have an effect separate from an increase in bite pressure? Or does the reed simply "know" it has been more mass-loaded and shift resonances as it will?
Can oral cavity/vocal tract tuning counteract/enhance these effects?
Perhaps, we will need that physiologist to chime in on certain counts...
Regarding a loose fingers/relaxed embouchure correlation: I am not in any position to agree, disagree or contradict with observed evidence. And indeed I am not too keenly aware how the brain is wired... I will digest the link you posted before even attempting to chime in.
If the findings of Wheeler, and clearly later studies (including the links you posted) show us anything, there are aspects of the playing experience that occur outside of our awareness, and may even stand in contrast to what has been "accepted wisdom" for many years. Perhaps they even show a clear contradiction between what we would say we are doing and what is truly occurring. Though, there are some that would still discount the effects of vocal tract tuning. (For the record, I am not one of those fools if I presented myself as such.)
I do have some other questions, and am sure more will crop up, but I have some reading to do to best ask what I wish to. ...And to find out that I don't know what it is that I don't know.
Perhaps that is fodder for a separate thread, or off-line, as I'd wager we would be off in a corner talking with nary an eye thrown our way by most other readers in this current thread.
Sorry for the sloppy post, but I have to run.
-Jason
Post Edited (2012-08-20 01:03)
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