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The design of a harmonic percussion ensemble (L)
1Centre for Music, Mind and Wellbeing, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia. mcln@unimelb.edu.au
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|June 21, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed new tuned percussion instruments with harmonic tuning for clearer pitches. These instruments offer harmonic partials, addressing a long-standing challenge in musical instrument design and production.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Musical Instrument Design
- Physics of Sound
Background:
- Tuned percussion instruments rely on rigid structures generating bending waves.
- Bending waves typically lack harmonic frequencies, causing pitch ambiguity.
- Traditional instruments rarely achieve harmonic tuning for multiple partials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present novel percussion instruments with harmonic tuning.
- To detail methods for achieving harmonic partials in percussion.
- To enable cost-effective manufacturing for new musical ensembles.
Main Methods:
- Designing rigid structures to control bending wave modes.
- Employing specific manufacturing techniques to achieve harmonic partials.
- Focusing on low-cost production for accessibility.
Main Results:
- Three new percussion instruments demonstrating harmonic tuning of three or more partials.
- Successful implementation of methods for tuning and manufacturing.
- Instruments suitable for diverse musical applications.
Conclusions:
- Novel percussion instruments achieve harmonic tuning, resolving pitch uncertainty.
- Cost-effective methods facilitate the creation of new musical ensembles.
- These instruments advance the field of tuned percussion design.
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