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rowuk · 10-21-2007, 07:00 AM

Chris,
there is a VERY big difference!
Our hearing is based on sonic clues that occur over time. The first part is the direct sound produced by an instrument. As this is closest, it arrives at the ears first and we can only judge the "color" of the sound at this point. The first reflections (echo) tell us about how far away the instrument is. This first reflection has to be at least 10 msec later than the direct sound to give our brain a chance to process it. Later reflections > 30 msec give us clues about the sonic nature of the room.
Sound travels at about a thousand feet per second. This means a room that would sonically react in a natural way has to be about 50 feet long (1000 feet/(1/100th of a second)=100 feet=50 feet to the wall and 50 feet back).
Anything smaller "smears" this time information and confuses our brain.
The second problem is the response of the trumpet. High frequencies are absorbed by air proportional to the distance from the instrument. The sound of our trumpet in a great hall is a combination between what we hear directly and what comes back to us from the room. The bigger the room, the darker the reflected sound. In a practice cell, most everything is reflected back, with all of the high frequencies and smeared in time. This gives your brain clues to do things that are not necessary in a "better" room!
A third effect ist what happens when the energy from the room is reflected back down the trumpet to your lips. To test this, play a long soft tone and have a buddy play some loud short notes - in a small room, you can easily feel the "pressure" on your lips.
My advise is to play as often as you can in better rooms. That builds the embouchure/ear/brain connection and will give you the best results. When in a small room, remember that loud only succeeds in sending more confusing signals to the brain. Listen to your body, it will tell you what is good or bad!

10-21-2007, 07:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 4,394	Re: Practice Rooms Chris, there is a VERY big difference! Our hearing is based on sonic clues that occur over time. The first part is the direct sound produced by an instrument. As this is closest, it arrives at the ears first and we can only judge the "color" of the sound at this point. The first reflections (echo) tell us about how far away the instrument is. This first reflection has to be at least 10 msec later than the direct sound to give our brain a chance to process it. Later reflections > 30 msec give us clues about the sonic nature of the room. Sound travels at about a thousand feet per second. This means a room that would sonically react in a natural way has to be about 50 feet long (1000 feet/(1/100th of a second)=100 feet=50 feet to the wall and 50 feet back). Anything smaller "smears" this time information and confuses our brain. The second problem is the response of the trumpet. High frequencies are absorbed by air proportional to the distance from the instrument. The sound of our trumpet in a great hall is a combination between what we hear directly and what comes back to us from the room. The bigger the room, the darker the reflected sound. In a practice cell, most everything is reflected back, with all of the high frequencies and smeared in time. This gives your brain clues to do things that are not necessary in a "better" room! A third effect ist what happens when the energy from the room is reflected back down the trumpet to your lips. To test this, play a long soft tone and have a buddy play some loud short notes - in a small room, you can easily feel the "pressure" on your lips. My advise is to play as often as you can in better rooms. That builds the embouchure/ear/brain connection and will give you the best results. When in a small room, remember that loud only succeeds in sending more confusing signals to the brain. Listen to your body, it will tell you what is good or bad! __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.