Slow Adam Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 They also play in tune now. I hear recordings of the "loud" horn lines of the 70's and I think SOME of them just sound shrill. There are some notable exceptions '75 Madison for example. There are others, but a lot of them just sound bad if you ask me. Yes, I said it. I totally agree that there is some idealization of memories going on. The bolded part is a bit of an over-generalization when talking about the G era. There were some very loud and in tune brass lines on G (Star 93, BD 98 etc). A good horn line is a good horn line no matter what they are playing on. Maybe the Bb horns just make the bad lines sound less bad, but everyone is quieter now. It's not fond memories of days gone by. I just saw Vanguard live last week, and I was expecting that company front to push me back, but even it wasn't THAT loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubanM11 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 i dont need to be blown back 5 feet to appreicate the music....i like quality and really there is only one or two corps that truly focus on sound quality more than anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiBoyinLA Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Were you watching the same show as me? 2. Corps in general, appear to be trying to outsmart each other by trying to come up with the newest, most obscure composers and arrangements. BD played Gershwin Crown played Copland and Bernstein and Somewhere over the Rainbow SCV's entire show was Copland's Appalachian Spring, probably played as true to the original as any corps has ever done Cadets' entire show was West Side Story Cavaliers were the only top corps to try something a bit more obscure 3. The excitement levels are way down, eveidenced by the lack of a crowd last night. In years past, Tghursday night would have been packed with 20K people Completely false. There has never been anywhere close to 20,000 at Quarters. What happened to a corps playing so loud at specific points in a show to try to move the stadium back 5', it's gone. Still happens. Did you go for popcorn at the end of SCV's show? Cadets'? Crown's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slow Adam Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 What happened to a corps playing so loud at specific points in a show to try to move the stadium back 5', it's gone. Still happens. Did you go for popcorn at the end of SCV's show? Cadets'? Crown's? I just saw Vanguard live last week, and I was expecting that company front to push me back, but even it wasn't THAT loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cron Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I just want to weigh in one more technical, scientific, nerdy thing. The only way to truly, without a doubt, end the volume argument is to get a machine using a constant velocity and volume of air to play an open G on a G bugle and a Bb on a Bb horn. Further more, if the g bugles are louder and maintain decibels at a longer range, I would like a scientific explanation as to how that's possible using the same amount of air. The G bugles have more tubing, more air space to fill, hence more air required, if I'm wrong on this I'd like to know how? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slow Adam Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I just want to weigh in one more technical, scientific, nerdy thing. The only way to truly, without a doubt, end the volume argument is to get a machine using a constant velocity and volume of air to play an open G on a G bugle and a Bb on a Bb horn. Further more, if the g bugles are louder and maintain decibels at a longer range, I would like a scientific explanation as to how that's possible using the same amount of air. The G bugles have more tubing, more air space to fill, hence more air required, if I'm wrong on this I'd like to know how? What is the difference in bore size? I don't have my slide rule in front of me, but I'd be willing to bet bore size is playing more of a role in friction than tube length... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBurnell Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Disclaimer: I prefer the G sound. Honestly I don't know if there is any scientific basis to the claim that bugles are louder. Another possible theory I (the hobbyist) have: arrangers tend to write keys that are easiest for the horn. If most of what a corps plays is a minor third lower than what another corps plays, is it reasonable to think that the first (lower) corps might be perceived as lower/darker/richer simply by virtue of the average key? Or, if G bugles require more air to play, is it reasonable to imagine that players of such horns might simply get used to putting out more air per unit time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigscontrachik05 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Another G to Bb debate? REALLY? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Brace Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 My testing with a DB meter disproves this...greatly. The G-horns are FAR louder and project much further. I do not believe your tests followed standard scientific principles but I welcome your dispute of this assertion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cron Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I am now interested in this bore size thing, anyone have two horns they can measure? Sorry, I have an engineering mind, these various variables fascinate me. Disclaimer: I do prefer Bb, I think intonation and overall ensemble sound have improved since their introduction. I have a love/hate relationship with the synth/mic thing, but that's another talk all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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