But then is it more implausible than what we already "know"?

Comments interesting.

No idea, but IIRC correctly, there's a scene in Immortal Beloved where he's kind of half on top of the piano, lid closed, with his ear on the lid and playing on the keyboard with one hand while composing.

I think that was in Immortal Beloved?

I should watch that movie again! Good excuse!

quote:

Originally posted by ShiroKuro:
No idea, but IIRC correctly, there's a scene in Immortal Beloved where he's kind of half on top of the piano, lid closed, with his ear on the lid and playing on the keyboard with one hand while composing.

I think that was in Immortal Beloved?

I should watch that movie again! Good excuse!

I loved that movie…

Hmmm. Bone conduction is a "thing," but it wouldn't directly translate into pitch without having to learn to associate very small changes in vibration to a particular pitch.

quote:

it wouldn't directly translate into pitch without having to learn to associate very small changes in vibration to a particular pitch

Good point.

Although, Beethoven would have had memory of pitch from his hearing days so maybe the vibration was enough?

No idea, I'm just thinking out loud....

quote:

Originally posted by Nina:
Hmmm. Bone conduction is a "thing," but it wouldn't directly translate into pitch without having to learn to associate very small changes in vibration to a particular pitch.

Having used the screw driver on the motor method over the years, I can confirm that you can definitely identify the frequency of vibrations. So it's possible Beethoven used bone conduction in the manner described.

I play fiddle without a shoulder rest. I put the fiddle on my collarbone.
My intonation improved as a result.
The cello vibrates so well that I wanted to take it up again, but my shoulder trouble prevented that.

When you play a D on the first string the D string vibrates in sympathy which gives the player a confirmation of pitch accuracy.
IMO that also helps the player learn the pitch of the other notes.
Would not have a fiddle with frets.

Having never played a stringed instrument or did a screw driver on the motor (whatever that is, but I'm assuming it doesn't mean drinking orange juice and vodka while watching someone fix your car--though it should be--), it's fascinating to think that he could have done this. It's kind of cool to think that it is a possibility.