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From: John Thaden
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 21:38:54 -0500
Subject: Buckeye announcement: Comb Materials Test

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . B H F ' 9 9 A N N O U N C E M E N T . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . N E W E V E N T . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Event: Comb Materials Test
Date: Friday, April 16
Time: 4:30 PM
Host: John Thaden

Will two harmonicas sound different if the only difference is comb
material? Wood vs. plastic? Metal? One metal vs. another? Buckeye Harmonica
Festival 1999 attendees are invited to participate in an "A/B"-style
listening test designed to address such questions.

The test will begin promptly at 4:30 on Friday, April 16, and will last
until 5:30. This is after the Teach-In with Joe Filisko and friends, and
before the evening activities. The test results will be available Saturday
afternoon or evening.

The test design imposes certain limitations: First, the harmonicas must be
easily heard unamplified, so I've selected a classroom-sized room instead
of an auditorium; it may not fit all who might wish to participate, and the
door will be closed during the test. Secondly, tests must be replicated
sufficiently to detect possible materials effects that may be rather
modest, so time is at a premium; I'll only be explaining how to mark the
test sheets, not lecturing on harmonica physicoacoustics, even if I could.
Participants are requested to be equally economical with the precious time.


Unlike previous tests, only two comb materials will be compared at a time,
and listeners will be asked only to guess whether the comb is "same" or
"different", from that on a harmonica played just previously--an A/B
design. Also unlike previous tests, the same set of reed plates and cover
plates will be used with all combs, switched rapidly from one to the other
via a custom-built quick-release clamp.

You may think the answer to the question "Do materials matter?" is obvious,
but be assured that many think the opposite answer is equally obvious. I
hope with your help that some light can be cast where too often only heat
has been felt.


************************************************************
John J. Thaden, Ph.D., Instructor jjthad~ife.uams.edu
Department of Geriatrics (501) 257-5583
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences FAX: (501) 257-4822
mail & ship to: J. L. McClellan V.A. Medical Center
Research-151 (Room GB103 or GC124)
4300 West 7th Street
Little Rock AR 72205 USA
***********************************************************