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Mendy Smith

The Difference Acoustics Makes

July 10, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Over the past several months during my remodel, my practice space has been confined to an acoustically dead bedroom. It has carpet, curtains, and everything you can imagine that swallows sound. Practicing has been a chore. I've had a hard time hearing myself, and little things like intonation and motivation suffered.

Then the wood floors were laid in my music room. Though unfinished, I couldn't resist. I drug out a music stand and my viola and started with a simple scale. Oh my! For the first time in months I was able to truly hear myself play again. Boy did my intonation suffer! I practiced until the late hours of the evening to start work on correcting what suffered.

I now understand why orchestral musicians complain about their halls.


From Terez Mertes
Posted on July 16, 2013 at 7:59 PM
Wow, I didn't think there'd be that kind of difference within a house. Guess that was silly of me. Very cool, your story here. I'm tempted to wander through my own house and listen for differences.

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