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V. §66.] QUALITY OF REED-SOUNDS. 133 |
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also be strengthened by resonance, but to a smaller and smaller extent as their order rises. The force required to throw a column of air into rapid vibration is greater than that which suffices to set up a slow vibration. Since the force necessary to produce segmental vibration increases very rapidly as the subdivisions of the air-column become more numerous, the very high partial-tones of the reed-clang are practically unsupported by the resonance of the associated pipe. We shall see in the sequel how it happens that the quality of the resulting sound is improved by this circumstance.
It is clear that sounds varying widely in quality may be obtained by associating a reed with pipes of varying lengths and forms. The resulting quality will be quite different according as the lowest tone which the pipe is capable of strengthening by resonance coincides with the fundamental-tone, or with one of the overtones, of the reed-sound. The form of the pipe may also be modified, so as to be conical or of any other shape, which will bring in other changes in its resonating properties. In these ways we have provision for the great variety of quality among reed-pipes which we find represented in organ stops of that class. |
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