Integer ratio harmonics etc

The following may be helpful in the 'integer ratio harmonics'
for acoustic sustaining instruments dscussion (sorry if some of it
reduplicates stuff already discussed, but confirmation/contrast
can't be a bad thing).

Judith C. Brown, 'Frequency ratios of spectral components of musical
sounds', Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Vol. 99, No.
2, 1996, pp. 1210-19.

The article places considerable emphasis on methodology and accuracy
of measurement. Some quotes and comments:

"A recently developed high resolution frequency tracker. has made it
possible to measure the ratios of the frequencies of the upper
harmonics of a sound with respect to its fundamental frequency with
high accuracy. Calculations were carried out on digitised sounds
produced by a clarinet, alto flute, voice, piano, violin, viola and
cello." (p. 1210).

For the sustained instruments in this group the frequency ratios of
spectral components (in this study the number of harmonics
considered (or at least, included in the graphs provided) for each
instrumental sound varied from 5 to 25) were in what Brown calls
'exact' integer relationship - that is, as exact as the accuracy
which the measuring process itself allowed. As I understand this, it
was shown that spectral components will normally deviate from an
ideal harmonic series by no more than about 2-3 cents, but that
relative to the accuracy of the calculation smaller deviations could
not be detected.

"Continuously driven instruments such as the bowed strings, winds,
and voice have phase-locked frequency components with frequencies in
the ratio of integers to within the currently achievable measurement
accuracy of about 0.2%. Since frequency fluctuations greater than
the measurement accuracy are inherent in any sound produced by a
human performer [on such an instrument], improvement of the
measurements is unnecessary.' (ibid., p. 1218).

I can't pretend to understand the detail of the methodology
to explain it to you. But would be particularly interested to hear
Dave Hill's and other's reactions to the methodology, should
they be familiar with the article.

Also, more important, - Dave, have you published your own
results? Sorry if I missed this somehow.

Thanks.

Patrick O-L