Not sure if you were still reading the other post but thought you might find this interesting as this knowledge it outside the usual understaning of how music works.
*** Hi Belle,
A similar but different avenue for you to look at.
If you look at a scale on a piano there are 12 notes, each meant to be a semi tone apart. C, C+, D, D+, E, F, F+, G, G+, A, A+, B. Then they repeat.
A physisist would expect to be able to measure the frequency of two C's one octave apart and place the other 12 as exact twelths between this .... however this isn't the case ... they are slightly off ... which is why playing the same piece is a different key changes the sound / mood as the reletive spaces between notes change. But still sounds sufficiently the same ... its very cool.
On a piano this is futher complicated as each piano note has 3 strings ... which are all tuned slightly differently as this gives the individual note more depth. Learning how to tune a piano is magic / art and perhaps finding a piano tuner to accompany for the day would help with the research for the book.
Let me know if you want more details or clarification!
Good Luck!
Posted by firebird (Member # 1971) on :
Another thought for you.
There are some people who can sing 2 notes at the same time by setting off harmonics in the air cavities in their skulls.
It's a little spooky but quite a trick and woudl certainly give your muscial magicians the edge.
Posted by Treason (Member # 7587) on :
I've heard someone do that, it's freaky but awesome.
Posted by firebird (Member # 1971) on :
My aunt can do it ... sometimes ... there was a hilarious Christmas when we all tried to success (utter failure) but random loud notes and humms rang though the house for a few days ....
(v freaky!)
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Tuvan "throat-singers" sing two notes at once.
It gives me a headache.
Posted by Samarkand (Member # 8379) on :
I think the reason Tuvan throat singers can do that is because they have bent their vocal chords slightly. As in, they damage them on perhaps.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I don't know.
All I know is that my dad took us to see them when I was 8 and I got such a headache I never want to hear them again.