aharpon
4 posts
Dec 18, 2013
12:47 AM
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Check this out....how the tone of strads has been pinned on the characteristics of wood grown in long cold winters and having been infected with specific fungal types. The fungus changes cell structures which are cool for violin tone. In a recent blind test a brand new violin was judged an improvement on a Strad!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120908081611.htm
It's long been a theory of mine that while acoustic harp tone can be tweaked by good technique , some of us possess unique body make up that endows our own acoustic tone with unique tonal qualities which may be untweakable beyond a certain point. I have a mate who looks like a Munster with a big head and ruddy great mouth. I've long been telling him that he must be made of Strad wood because his acoustic tone is exceptional and extraordinary. Actually the best I have EVER heard among modern or historical harp players. He really does look rather unusual , has a deep resonant voice and his physiognomy is unusual both visibly and perhaps invisibly...his bone structure , his tongue density ....who knows?
And let's think about the really groovy harp notes .....many are draw notes .....and bent draw notes. Those sounds are drawn into the body where the frequencies can interact with the resonant frequencies of body structures internally......and externally as well actually .........via the hands that might be holding a mic. Unless I'm very much mistaken the harp is the only mouth instrument where sound is drawn into the body .
I think personal harp tone is to some extent exactly that.....personal..... and dependent on ones physical make up. Just like ones voice.
Just a thought!
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gmacleod15
227 posts
Dec 18, 2013
7:55 AM
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Hope your mate is not a forum member :)
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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aharpon
7 posts
Dec 18, 2013
10:11 AM
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He is ....or he at least reads it! He has reminded me , having had his attention brought to the above, that Munsters are over endowed in other areas of their bodies too! I think he's taken it in the light hearted way intended.
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nacoran
7429 posts
Dec 18, 2013
11:42 AM
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Lol. Yeah, I've had similar ideas about why draw notes are the 'cool' ones.
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Nate
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garry
481 posts
Dec 21, 2013
6:23 AM
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So all the best harp players have been infected by wood fungus? That explains so much. I suppose the next discussion of mics or amps will have at least one person posting "Of course, gear doesn't matter. Good amplified tone comes from good acoustic tone, which comes from infection by wood fungus."
That person will probably be me.
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messy ventura
107 posts
Dec 21, 2013
7:53 AM
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I too have wondered what affect the mouth cavity shape has on playing. As a teen I had to wear a retainer to help straighten my teeth. I noticed mine was much higher and somewhat wider (the plastic retainer that is lol) than the other kids' that wore retainers indicating a larger than normal roof of the mouth. I swear it makes an echo chamber when chugging. And of course everyone knows if you've got big feet you've got a big..............................................................................pair of shoes.
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KingoBad
1418 posts
Dec 21, 2013
9:10 AM
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I wonder what other fungi do for tone such as athlete's foot or toenail fungus???
Perhaps we should work something up for SPAH....
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Danny
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nacoran
7434 posts
Dec 21, 2013
11:54 AM
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Kingo, when do you ever see those used for musical performance?
Now, a good armpit infection? There is something musical!
Wait, never mind. I forgot about tapping your toes.
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Nate
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