All Shapes and Sizes

 All Shapes and Sizes

 

I know you find this difficult to believe, but when Mr Gary has finished all his work I will have over 2400 pipes, about 500 more than I’ve had since 1945

 

So as promised here’s some useful information about all my lovely pipes.  They come in all shapes and sizes, literally

 

Now I’m just a grand old lady, not a scientist, so I don’t quite follow all the science of pipe making, e.g. where the sounds come from, what makes a difference to the quality of sound, what materials are best and so on.  This is just my non-psychist understanding of it all!

 

The longest pipe is one of those ones that look like water works pipes, from our London friends, at about 26’.  The smallest pipes are just a few cms inches long.  The longer the pipe, the deeper the sound.  But as I’ve already told you my deepest pitch 16 hz is going to be from the lowest note on my new contra trombone  -  the lovely new wooden resonator is about 16’ high;  the 26’ high huge water tube pipe gives a sound a fifth higher, at GGGG.  The highest note probably may not be heard  -  perhaps it might sound like a squeak or maybe a dog whistle, but above the audible range for many people.  I just don’t know quite how Mr Gary will manage to tune every one of my 2400 pipes!

 

So here’s something about shapes and sizes

 

Some pipes:

©       are like flutes, others are called reeds with a vibrating mechanism to produce sound

©       are open at the end, others have a bung in the end  -  which lengthens the sounding size of the pipe, and gives a lower note

©       are fat, others thin

©       have flaps on the top, others don’t

©       are metal, others wood

©       have open mouths, others have a lip or beard, so the sound becomes a bit more stringy

 

Some metal pipes:

©       are just plain, others are lovely with spots

©       are made of lead  -  and are heavy;  others are less heavy and made of zinc

 

Is that enough information for you?

 

Whatever the size or shape of the pipe, or the way they work, they definitely work best if they are clean.  Now, as you know, my older pipework hasn’t had a good clean for over 60 years, so the lovely sounds they can produce have been a bit clogged up.  They will also definitely sound a lot better for having had a thorough clean and polish

 

If you want to know more about all of this, either ask nice Mr Gary or use Mr Googel to ask the inertnet for answers  -  I’ve told you all I know and, apart from that, I just do my very best to sound fantastic! 

 


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