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THE SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS OF ACOUSTICS - H. H. Arnold ...

THE SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS OF ACOUSTICS - H. H. Arnold ...

THE SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS OF ACOUSTICS - H. H. Arnold ...

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552 18. Music and Musical InstrumentsFigure 18.36. The human voice mechanism in a sectional view of the head.that can be varied by the singer to yield a wide variety of tones, which differ inharmonic content, quality, loudness, duration, growth, and decay. According toMachlis,the oldest and still the most popular of all (musical) instruments is the human voice. In noother instrument is contact between the performer and medium so intimate. In none otheris expression so personal and direct. The voice is the ideal exponent of lyric melody andhas consistently been the model for those who made instruments as well as for those whoplayed them.A human voice can range over two octaves, but variations do occur amongdifferent individuals as to the range, to say nothing of the beauty or quality oftones. It is a rare voice such as Yma Sumac’s that can cover four octaves or more.An effortless coloratura such as Joan Sutherland, a powerful heldentenor such asLauritz Melchior, or a sonorous basso such as Alexander Kipnis or Martti Tevalacomes along once a generation. On the average, a soprano can range from C 4 toC 6 ; an alto, from G 3 to F 5 ; a tenor, from D 3 to C 5 ; a baritone, from A 2 to G 4 ; andthe basso, from E 2 to D 4 .

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