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Document ID (ISN)47206
CIS number 86-1847
ISSN - Serial title Revue suisse pour l'industrie chimique
Year 1986
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Landry J.C., Jaccard J., Levantal M.
Title Symphony orchestra musicians: how much auditory load are they exposed to?
Original title Musiciens d'un grand orchestre: quelle charge sonore ? [in French]
Bibliographic information 1986, Vol.8, No.4a, p.5057. Illus. 6 ref.
Abstract The sound level to which musicians of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande were exposed was measured during 5 rehearsals and 6 performances. The measurements involved players of 39 different instruments, representing the whole range of the orchestra. The discomfort level expressed by musicians depended on dynamic factors as much as on the absolute sound level they experienced. Sound levels were highest for players of the loudest instruments (brass and percussion). Musicians who expressed the greatest level of discomfort were those who played instruments of relatively low power (such as strings), but who were playing in the immediate vicinity of brass instruments. During a concert, some musicians are exposed to sound levels above the permissible level set by the Swiss National Accident Insurance Board (90±2.5dB(A)). This happens, for example, during the performance of the Flying Dutchman by R. Wagner.
Descriptors (primary) noise; noise measurement; musicians
Descriptors (secondary) Switzerland
Document type D - Periodical articles
Subject(s) Noise, hearing and vibration
Broad subject area(s)
Browse category(ies) Entertainment services and sports
Noise