John, At 08:10 12/29/2000 -0500, you wrote: >I'm stopping by for a few days with this question. > >Just how loud can a piano become? I have a book which says an airplane >taking off will reach 140 decibels, a rock concert 120 and a snowmobile 110. ><snip> >After 37 years of tuning, I'm now going for ear plugs and I've read the >archives as well. But nowhere can I find reference as to how many decibels >it took for me to experience this discomfort. Threshold of pain is generally agreed to be about 115-120 dB. US federal guidelines limit exposure to levels beginning at 90dBa. Years ago I measured levels while tuning and found that I could generate 103-105dB from medium sized grands in practice rooms, and usually well into the 90's from consoles. When I get home this afternoon, I'll look up the actual numbers, unless Tremper jumps in with them before. ;-} The damage is cumulative, so <120 dB is not necessary for damage and symptoms. Conrad Hoffsommer - Music Technician -mailto:hoffsoco@luther.edu Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045 Voice-(319)-387-1204 // Fax (319)-387-1076(Dept.office) Education is the best defense against the media.
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