Noise exposure measurements of the Tokyo String Quartet

During the Spring 1994 Meeting of ASA a special concert was given by the Tokyo String Quartet. During the first part of the program the Tokyo String Quartet played two music selections using each of four different sets of instruments: Old Italian instruments and modern instruments crafted by Carleen Hutchins, Curtin and Alf, and Robert and Deena Spear. The Tokyo String Quartet had previously agreed to allow noise dosimeter monitoring of their exposures during the first half of the program. In addition, one member of the audience also wore a noise dosimeter during the performance. The measured L(eq) values across instrument groups for the audience member exhibited a range of 0.7 dBA for the first musical selection and 0.6 dBA for the second selection. The remaining recorded database findings and its analysis will be presented. The authors are grateful to the members of the Tokyo String Quartet for allowing them the opportunity to obtain additional musician noise exposure information.