How loud is a band? - Page 3

Steve · 02.05.2006, 15:30

Dont know how loud the average band really is but I am 110% sure Dyke were at least double that on Saturday in Belfast. Blimey!!

JDH · 02.05.2006, 23:51

There are so many varable factors affecting this such as the standard of the band, where you are seated and the acoustics of the room that it is impossible to put a figure on the decibels. The only way is to measure with a meter around your own band room.

I have played with bands where I have found the level uncomfortably high, but never had this problem playing in an orchestra, so I would say being in a band you are exposed to a higher level of sound

Dave1 · 03.05.2006, 15:30

I sell noise meters for a living so I'll take one to band next time and measure a "typical" two hour rehearsal and report back
Dave

**WoodenFlugel** · 03.05.2006, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

I sell noise meters for a living so I'll take one to band next time and measure a "typical" two hour rehearsal and report back
Dave

Cheers Dave, that would be most useful. Can you make a note of howe far away and where the readings were taken? Thanks.

Charmed · 04.05.2006, 06:56

Years ago we had to swap round the position of our drum kit because one of the Eb bass players, who was usually sat in front of the kit, started having problems with his ear, and the Doctor blamed it on him sitting in front of the drummer!

JohnnyEuph · 04.05.2006, 16:23

...that would explain all those rehearsals he misses i suppose!

Charmed · 06.05.2006, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyEuph

...that would explain all those rehearsals he misses i suppose!

Tut, tut! John!

I was referring to an ex-player!

Dave1 · 12.05.2006, 11:57

Right, here we go.

Set up a calibrated Type 1 sound level meter in the bandroom last night. Quite a small bandroom with a low ceiling. The meter was positioned behind the conductor about 2 meters away and ran from 7.30pm - 9.30pm and included a 10 minute break in the middle.
The music played was general concert program stuff (as we have a concert soon)

Results are - Leq (average for that time period) 91.5dBA
Lmax (maximum) 107.3dBA
PEAK noise 122.8dBC

Pretty loud really and damaging if it was to be continued over an 8 hour working day.The first action level of the new noise regulations is 80dBA but this is based over an 8 hour day

Make of this as you will
Dave

madrich · 12.05.2006, 12:30

Those are some interesting and slightly worrying figures. I'm not sure what period of exposure is required to cause damage at 107 dbA. I doubt 2 hours of intermittent exposure would cause permenant damage, but 2 hours twice a week for 40 years could well do. It probably really is worth someone doing some proper research on the subject. Unfortunately the chances of finding funding for such a project are very small.

Dave1 · 12.05.2006, 12:43

A lot has already been done. The London Phil were fitted with personal noise dosimeters and measured over a longer period of time by Imperial College London. And I thing Mr Yeo has done some research as well.

The thing is that you could well sit in a band rehearsal for two hours and be exposed to this level of noise, then you get in your car and drive home with the radio on, go into the house and sit with your Ipod plugged into your ears for an hour and so on and so on. Where does it all stop.

**WoodenFlugel** · 12.05.2006, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

Right, here we go.

Set up a calibrated Type 1 sound level meter in the bandroom last night. Quite a small bandroom with a low ceiling. The meter was positioned behind the conductor about 2 meters away and ran from 7.30pm - 9.30pm and included a 10 minute break in the middle.
The music played was general concert program stuff (as we have a concert soon)

Results are - Leq (average for that time period) 91.5dBA
Lmax (maximum) 107.3dBA
PEAK noise 122.8dBC

Pretty loud really and damaging if it was to be continued over an 8 hour working day.The first action level of the new noise regulations is 80dBA but this is based over an 8 hour day

Make of this as you will
Dave

Excellent stuff, and just the kind of answer I was looking for

.

Just one thing though - and I feel this does have some bearing on the results - what section does your band play in?

The peak noise level you state tallies nicely with a figure I was given before. It would be interesting to know what you were playing when you hit this peak. Or was it just the conductor shouting at the band?

Dave1 · 12.05.2006, 14:05

Well I'm the conductor so the answer is quite possibly !!!

This was Dunfermline town band who are 3rd section and although I can't put a difinitive order of play on things we ran through, hymns, Castell Coch, Shepherds Song, Amazing Grace, Mexican Holiday, Le Cid and maybe another one or two. But - I will say that I spend a lot of time trying to get the band to play quieter as oppose to louder !