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Harpsichords and Related Topics

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Subject:
From:
Lance Montfort Myers <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Harpsichords and Related Topics <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 5 Sep 2018 20:06:07 -0700
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Dear Chris,

With all due respect (that is diplomatic speech for "Screw you") to Andrew (just joking), I think that acoustic speculations have proven a dry hole for decades if not centuries.  

If the instrument in question bears any similarity to a particular historic regional or national style of building, then cleave to that style.  If it's Teutonic in character omit the rose and add a great little vignette.  If it's Franco/Flemish add a rose and suitable painting.  If it's Italianate leave it "neked" or add a complex paper rose.

If you are restoring or elevating an undistinguished instrument to greater glory, a rose might be used as a signature, so the world may recognize your art and generosity.

 Roses are about aesthetics and/or authorship, and tradition, not acoustics.

 Lance Montfort Myers

-----Original Message-----
From: Harpsichords and Related Topics <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Andrew Bernard
Sent: Wednesday, September 5, 2018 4:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: To soundhole or not?

Hi Chris,

Although old harpsichords often had soundholes, they may no discernible difference to the sound. It is provable - cover them up with gaffer tape and listen. Mo\stly they seemed to be a kind of more or less ignorant copying of lute etc, back when acoustics was not a quantitative science. I think I read Ruckers etc had to have them for id with a rose with initials or name, as per guild regulations (but that may be my overactive imagination).

A harpsichord cavity is not a loudspeaker, or a guitar, and functions differently to them. You don't need a port. Most often instruments are open at the belly rail anyway, with a very large air gap. Even instruments that may have a sealed cavity, again, you don't need one.

Leave it out.

Andrew

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Note:  opinions  expressed on HPSCHD-L are those of the  individual con-
tributors and not necessarily  those of the list owners  nor of the Uni-
versity of Iowa.  For a brief  summary of list  commands, send mail to
[log in to unmask]  saying  HELP .
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