Analysis of slurred transients in brass instrument playing

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Analysis of slurred transients in brass instrument playing

  • Event time: 1:00pm
  • Event date: 24th January 2011
  • Speaker: Shona Logie (Formerly School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
  • Location: Room 2511,

Event details

Brass instrument players use a number of factors to assess the quality of an instrument; these include the ease of starting notes (starting transients) and achieving smooth transitions between different notes (slurred transients). It is also well known that these transients are very important for the listener in determining the character of the note, and the instrument being played. An accomplished player may be able to make a slurred transient, for example, played on a poor instrument sound convincing to the listener, but is likely to prefer an instrument on which the same slur can be performed more easily. Through analysis of high speed video footage of the players lips, synchronised with the pressure measured in the mouthpiece and at the bell exit, it is possible to explore the mechanics of the system during both starting transients and slurs. This presentation will examine such transients through experimental results as well as the use of a recently developed time domain model of brass instruments.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

Find out more about Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars.