Simultaneous Measurements of Pressure, Flow and Sound during Trumpet Playing

Sound production during trumpet playing implies the interaction between the performer and his instrument which requires the coordination between physiological and physical parameters under the performer's direct control. For brass instruments, some of the main issues rely on the estimation of specific parameters such as mouth pressure, lip mechanical properties and driving volume flow. A few studies [1,2,4,5,6] estimated these parameters but the measurements were not simultaneous. Their results are partial and the effect on sound quality is not addressed. In respiratory mechanics, the standard methods to measure lung volumes and flows usually require the subject to breathe through a mouthpiece and a measuring device (flowmeter) or to have his/her body constrained in an unnatural posture (Head-out whole body plethysmography) [2]. Optoelectronic Plethysmograph (OEP) is an appropriate method to estimate performers’ respiratory volumes as a function of time during playing [3]. IRCAM Paris adapted an embedded air velocity sensor on the tuning slide of a Yamaha Bb trumpet. The combination of both set-ups gives simultaneous data of operating volumes and flows, radiated sound and mouth static pressure during advanced trumpet playing (Respiratory mechanics lab-CIRMMT, Schulich School of Music, McGill University and Instrumental Acoustics laboratory, IRCAM). It also allows to compare both processes and to evaluate their efficiency according to specific musical tasks. Previous studies showed that sound frequency and amplitude increase with pressure and flow. Average flows reported range from 180 to 630 ml/s [1,2,4,5, 6]. Preliminary analysis of our data showed peak flows up to 950 ml/s during low fortissimo notes. Correlations between these physical control parameters and some sound characteristics (pitch, sound pressure level, noisiness) are demonstrated.