Physics – Popular Physics
Scientific paper
2010-11-24
Physics
Popular Physics
10 pages, 9 figures, submitted to JASA special issue on musical acoustics
Scientific paper
The grand piano is one of the most important instruments in western music. Its functioning and details are investigated and understood to a reasonable level, however, differences between manufacturers exist which are hard to explain. To add a new piece of understanding, we decided to investigate the effect of ribs mounted on a soundboard. Apart from pianos, this is important to a wider class of instruments which radiate from a structured surface. From scattering theory, it is well-known that a regular array of scatterers yields a band structure. By a systematic study of the latter, the effect of the ribs on the radiated spectrum is demonstrated for a specially manufactured multichord mimicking topologically a piano soundboard. To distinguish between radiated sound and sound propagated inside the board we use piezopolymers, an innovative, non-invasive technique. As a result we find a dramatic change in the spectrum allowed to propagate in the soundboard which is consequently radiated. An explanation by a simple model of coupled oscillators is given with a very nice qualitative coincidence.
Abel Markus
Gerhard Reimund
Kappel Marcel
No associations
LandOfFree
The effect of Mounted Ribs on the Radiation of a Soundboard does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The effect of Mounted Ribs on the Radiation of a Soundboard, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The effect of Mounted Ribs on the Radiation of a Soundboard will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-240994