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Estimation of harp string inharmonicity influenced by phantom partials
Tatjana Miljković1, Miloš Bjelić1, Jelena Ćertić1
1School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|October 21, 2025
Summary
A modified partial frequency deviation (PFD) algorithm improves inharmonicity coefficient estimation in harp tones by identifying and excluding phantom partials. This enhances accuracy for musical instrument analysis and synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Music Technology
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Phantom partials in harp tones complicate accurate inharmonicity coefficient estimation.
- The inharmonicity coefficient is crucial for musical instrument tone synthesis and analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an automated method for precise inharmonicity coefficient estimation across the harp's register.
- To address the challenge posed by phantom partials in spectral analysis.
Main Methods:
- A modified partial frequency deviation (PFD) algorithm was developed.
- The algorithm was designed to identify and exclude phantom partials during estimation.
- Evaluation involved synthesized signals and recorded concert harp tones.
Main Results:
- The modified PFD algorithm improved inharmonicity coefficient estimation accuracy for 64% of real harp tones.
- Accuracy improvements reached up to 88.5% for specific tones.
- Estimation accuracy is influenced by the proportion and spectral characteristics of phantom partials.
Conclusions:
- The modified PFD algorithm offers a more accurate approach to inharmonicity estimation in harp acoustics.
- Excluding phantom partials is key to reliable musical instrument analysis.
- This method supports precise tone synthesis and analysis for stringed instruments.
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