Posted by Lon on March 10, 2000 at 11:24:16:
In Reply to: tuba audio physics - KNOW KNOWS ? posted by Joe S. on March 10, 2000 at 10:13:17:
Joe S. posed a question regarding the effect of differential temperatures on a tuba during the instrument's warm-up process. While I cannot address the fundamental physics/acoustics involved, I may have a practical experimental approach to shed light on this dilemna. Approach #1: Preheat the entire tuba in a controlled temperature room/chamber, then run through your standard start-up procedure looking for differences in intonation quantitatively with a tuner and qualitatively with your ears. Variation of starting temperature may be informative. Approach #2: This could be quite fun! Using a standard blow dryer or similar source of constant temperature heated air start blowing air through the mouthpiece and sound test as the temperature gradient moves through the tuba. Another option is to initially heat the bell, or individual valve branches, first and record any differences from your standard start up of a cold tuba.
Comment: If a preheated tuba exhibits a significant improvement in initial intonation, does this mean we should hug them first before we kiss them.
Please respond with any results (positive or negative) on this BBS.