Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Low Register


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Posted by John Swensen on February 15, 2000 at 14:48:59:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Low Register posted by Joe S. on February 15, 2000 at 01:43:40:

Well, it is not exactly "kazoo-ing"; for a regular note the fundamental frequency N of the buzz is reinforced by a resonance of the horn, and some of the harmonics of the buzz (2 x N, 3 x N, 4 x N, 5 x N, etc.) can be reinforced by other resonances of the horn [when a buzz frequency if reinforced by a harmonic, most of the energy at that frequency is reflected back into the horn and ends up at your embouchure at a time that tends to keep that buzz going; the horn has an impedance maximum at that frequency].

For a "false tone" or privileged note, one or more of the higher harmonics of the buzz is reinforced by one or more horn resonances, but the fundamental frequency of the buzz just goes along for the ride. The harmonics of the buzz keep it going, and the fundamental frequency just pours out the bell without appreciable reflection. As a result, the note is often not as stable as a true tone (less reinforcement) and the tone quality differs (less reflection, more radiation).

As reported in Song and Wind, Arnold Jacobs discovered that privileged notes were often louder than normal notes, so he sometimes used them, later in his career. I suspect that his control of tone color was so great that he could get away with occasionally using privileged notes.


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