Nelson,
What an interesting thread! I only wish I knew more about physics.
Isn't it more accurate to say the we're not really talking about "all"
woodwinds, but reedless pipes in particular.
I would think that a single-reed (clarinet) or double-reed instrument
(oboe) differ in sound from each other and from the flute also because of
the reed, which is producing the vibration. I know that changing reeds on
any of my woodwinds can result in completely different tone qualities,
depending on the physical characteristics of the reeds. I'm sure the bore
differences (conical vs. tubular) produce major timbral changes also, but
since reeds produce such a great difference, aren't we really talking only
about reedless pipes (vertical and transverse flutes, pan-pipes, mouth
organs, pipe organs, etc.)?
Dan
At 11:52 AM 02/05/2002 -0700, you wrote:
>Zachary,
>
> > I'm curious, though. You seem like an intelligent guy, but what you are
> > arguing seems (no offense) totally preposterous to me.
> >
> > For instance, say we have spheres six inches in diameter made out of wood,
> > iron, and crystal. Are you arguing that, when struck by the same stick,
> each
> > of these would make the exact same sound?
> >
> > That's what I *think* you're saying. Am I wrong?
>
>Yes, you are. I'll say it again, slowly. What we're talking about is
>areophones, NOT idiophones. This means we're talking about woodwinds, NOT
>instruments that you strike.
>
>It important that you understand the reason for this distinction. With
>idiophones the material IS vastly important. With idiophones that's what
>you're playing--the material.
>
>Now Zack, focus your mind. With an areophone (a flute), what is the material
>you're playing? It's AIR! The material all areophones use to make sound is
>AIR. When you really GET this, the whole thing will clear up. With a shak
>you're NOT playing bamboo you're playing AIR. The material used to enclose
>the AIR is incidental. With areophones it's the shape of the emptiness that
>you're playing, the geometry. A shak isn't dependent on it's bamboo, it's
>dependent on the shape of it's air. All woodwinds use the same
>material--AIR!!
>
>Shakuhachi makers don't shape bamboo, they shape emptiness--that space in
>the bore!! They just use bamboo to do it. They just create a 'bottle' for
>the material--AIR.
>
>I'm not being difficult, arcane or argumentative. When you really comprehend
>how a shak works your playing can go to a whole new and much deeper level.
>You're playing shaped AIR--that's the instrument. Open your mind to the fact
>that air is a substance, a material that can be formed into musically
>interesting shapes.
>
>Sorry for being so direct, but it's my birthday today and I'm taking
>liberties.
>
>Nelson
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