BRIDGING INSTRUMENT CONTROL ASPECTS OF BRASS INSTRUMENTS WITH PHYSICS-BASED PARAMETERS
Matthias Bertsch · 2003
Is there a connection between what we feel when playing an instrument and what we can measure? Physical models and measuring tools have been developed to provide a better understanding of brass instruments and objective physical documentation of their acoustics. Musicians and instrument makers still criticize the enormous gaps between the physics-based parameters and the empirically reported feelings of brass players on quality aspects of their instruments. Deviations between played and measured parameters like intonation and their variability have already been focused on in earlier studies. Attempts at finding a theoretical explanation of these deviations using physical modeling continue. For musicians, one of the most important quality factors of a brass instrument is its response. A new series of playing tests has been designed to correlate empirical data with objective physical parameters (impedance measurements). International instrument makers provided special test instruments (modular trumpets). This paper will examine the difficulties in defining response and setting up suitable playing tests.