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Published on: November 25, 2017
Saxophonists tune vocal tract resonances in advanced performance techniques
Jer-Ming Chen1, John Smith, Joe Wolfe
1School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia. jerming@phys.unsw.edu.au
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|February 10, 2011
Summary
Experienced saxophonists skillfully manipulate mouth resonances to control complex altissimo notes and multiphonics. Less experienced players struggle with these advanced techniques due to insufficient resonance control.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Music Performance Science
- Bioacoustics
Background:
- Saxophone playing involves complex interactions between the player's vocal tract and the instrument.
- Understanding acoustical impedance is crucial for analyzing sound production in wind instruments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of vocal tract acoustical impedance in saxophone playing.
- To differentiate the impedance tuning strategies of experienced versus less experienced players.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of acoustical impedance spectra in the mouths of saxophonists during performance.
- Analysis of impedance peaks in relation to instrument bore and reed impedance.
Main Results:
- Experienced players tune their vocal tract impedance to control altissimo notes and multiphonics.
- Less experienced players lack the necessary impedance resonance control for advanced techniques.
- Consistent tract resonance tuning is absent in standard range playing.
Conclusions:
- Vocal tract impedance tuning is a key differentiator in advanced saxophone technique.
- Acoustical impedance analysis provides insights into the physics of musical instrument performance.
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