Just got through reading the extra coverage of the S&D Whistle Blow of May 1, 1965, reprinted in the June 2010 issue of the REFLECTOR. So here's a question for you whistle and signaling aficionados among us: what chords were most favored for steamboat whistles?
Obviously there were single chime whistles, but for boats with three or more bells or chimes, which chords held sway? Were certain sonorities considered indicative of larger or more lavish vessels?
On railroads, it seems that M6 (think on your keyboard: E-G-A-C) chords were popular. I've heard several steamboat whistles with first- and second-inversion chords (E-G-C, G-C-E), some with sevenths (C-E-Bb), and even some with tritones (C-F#) and augmented chords (C-E-G#).
Obviously there were single chime whistles, but for boats with three or more bells or chimes, which chords held sway? Were certain sonorities considered indicative of larger or more lavish vessels?
On railroads, it seems that M6 (think on your keyboard: E-G-A-C) chords were popular. I've heard several steamboat whistles with first- and second-inversion chords (E-G-C, G-C-E), some with sevenths (C-E-Bb), and even some with tritones (C-F#) and augmented chords (C-E-G#).
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