Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-02-21 22:45
In the UK, the comma is used for large numbers, usually from 1,000 upwards (although 1000 is also commonly used without the comma) - 10,000 - 100,000 - 1,000,000 - 10,000,000 etc.
The decimal point is used for fractions 1.6mm - 14.65mm - 2.2l - 3.5m etc.
And in currency (pounds and pence) £0.99 (or 99p) - £1.99 - £19.99 - £1,999.99 (or £1999.99) - £38,500.00 - £1.2m - £37bn etc.
Although imperial measurements aren't used much for very small measurements where millimetres and fractions of a millimetre are used, steel guitar and bass strings are still sold in thou(sandths) of an inch eg. a set of 9 - 42 strings being .009" - .042"
Likewise with some sax mouthpiece tip openings - Lawton soprano sax mouthpiece numbers are directly related to the tip opening in thousandths of an inch, so a Lawton 6 soprano has a tip opening of .060", a 6* is .065", etc.
Some mouthpieces have the measurements with the decimal point shifted, so a Vandoren 11.6 is in fact a 1.16mm tip opening.
While single reed strengths (and that's strength and not size) are generally measured in half or quarter strengths, they're usually expressed as decimal fractions (2.5, 3.25, etc) as that's easier to type or has become the norm in decimal countries, but you'd often still ask for a two and a half, or a three and a quarter strength (not size) reed. Although you can always ask for a two point five, or a three point two five strength (not size) reed if that's your thing.
Just to reiterate, reeds are measured in strength and not size, just as a melody/tune/theme (without singing nor lyrics) shouldn't be confused with a song (which has singing/lyrics), even though that seems to be the trend nowadays.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2023-02-22 22:34)
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