Comments on: Does material affect tone quality in woodwind instruments?: Why scientists and musicians just can’t seem to agree http://www.bretpimentel.com/does-material-affect-tone-quality-in-woodwind-instruments-why-scientists-and-musicians-just-cant-seem-to-agree/ Saxophone, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, folk and ethnic woodwinds Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:41:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Pete Thomas http://www.bretpimentel.com/does-material-affect-tone-quality-in-woodwind-instruments-why-scientists-and-musicians-just-cant-seem-to-agree/#comment-240 Pete Thomas Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:55:37 +0000 http://bretpimentel.com/blog/?p=581#comment-240 It's interesting you say "most woodwind players", as most of the woodwind players I know don't think that different material affects the tone of the instrument. I've thought this ever since my first saxophone, which was made from plastic and sounded very much like a brass saxophone. But I do believe it's true that if you feel good about your instrument it will help you play better, I feel better playing a horn that I like the look or feel of, whether that is luxurious satin gold finish or beaten up old brass patina. The stuff you hear about material is mostly marketing, and very few companies agree whether silver helps give you a bright sound or a dark sound, so we all tend to take that with a pinch of salt. It’s interesting you say “most woodwind players”, as most of the woodwind players I know don’t think that different material affects the tone of the instrument. I’ve thought this ever since my first saxophone, which was made from plastic and sounded very much like a brass saxophone.

But I do believe it’s true that if you feel good about your instrument it will help you play better, I feel better playing a horn that I like the look or feel of, whether that is luxurious satin gold finish or beaten up old brass patina.

The stuff you hear about material is mostly marketing, and very few companies agree whether silver helps give you a bright sound or a dark sound, so we all tend to take that with a pinch of salt.

]]> By: Vincent Ellin http://www.bretpimentel.com/does-material-affect-tone-quality-in-woodwind-instruments-why-scientists-and-musicians-just-cant-seem-to-agree/#comment-186 Vincent Ellin Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:52:32 +0000 http://bretpimentel.com/blog/?p=581#comment-186 Interesting comment about wood !! I know that scientists think the material doesn't affect the properties, but I remember a conversation between Alan Fox of Fox Bassoons and Arthur Benade (the acoustician) where Benade remarked the difference between one material and another is only a 1 or 2 percent change in sound. Alan remarked back for you Arthur that is very small, but for a professional musician that is a VERY BIG difference !! Interesting comment about wood !! I know that scientists think the material doesn’t affect the properties, but I remember a conversation between Alan Fox of Fox Bassoons and Arthur Benade (the acoustician) where Benade remarked the difference between one material and another is only a 1 or 2 percent change in sound. Alan remarked back for you Arthur that is very small, but for a professional musician that is a VERY BIG difference !!

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