This presentation is a personal reflection of the influence Bill Strong had on the author’s career in noise control. From first encounters with the decibel to experimental and numerical research in trombone acoustics, from simple textbook quizzes to demanding 20-page single-problem essays, the author shows the influence Bill Strong had on his education in acoustics which became the bedrock for a career in machinery noise control. The presentation will cite specific example of concepts, analyses and techniques found in musical acoustics—first encountered by the author in his studies with Bill Strong—and similarities to industrial noise control situations. The examples will demonstrate how an education in musical acoustic translates to practical applications in noise control engineering.