During the Bilbao project, six violins were built with systematic geometry control in order to investigate influence of plate thickness on dynamics, sound and playing characteristics complete instruments. To this end, three medium backs, each paired a thin, normal, or thick top tops, medium, back made. Despite careful reduction handwork by numerically controlled machining cutting means outside plates, there remains various sources variability, particular wood properties. In separate effect...

Most violinists believe that instruments by Stradivari and Guarneri "del Gesu" are tonally superior to other violins--and new violins in particular. Many mechanical acoustical factors have been proposed account for this superiority; however, the fundamental premise of tonal superiority has not yet properly investigated. Player's judgments about a Stradivari's sound may be biased violin's extraordinary monetary value historical importance, but no studies designed preclude such biasing...

Significance Some studies open new fields for investigation; this study attempts to close a perennially fruitless one—the search the “secrets of Stradivari.” Great efforts have been made explain why instruments by Stradivari and other Old Italian makers sound better than high-quality violins, but without providing scientific evidence that is in fact case. Doing so requires experienced violinists demonstrate (under double-blind conditions) both general preference violins ability reliably...

This paper investigated how auditory and vibrotactile feedback information is integrated within the context of violin quality evaluation. Fifteen violinists evaluated three violins on four criteria—“Rich Sound,” “Loud Powerful,” “Alive Responsive,” “Pleasure”—during a perceptual experiment. Violinists first one at time under experimental conditions: (1) playing, (2) listening to it (played by professional player) in an active way fingering score isolated neck, (3) same as with provided neck....

This study is the first step in psychoacoustic exploration of perceptual differences between sounds different violins. A method was used which enabled same performance to be replayed on “virtual violins,” so that relationships acoustical characteristics violins and perceived qualities could explored. Recordings real performances were made using a bridge-mounted force transducer, giving an accurate representation signal from violin string. These then played through filters corresponding...

The overall goal of the research presented here is to better understand how players evaluate violins within wider context finding relationships between measurable vibrational properties instruments and their perceived qualities. In this study, reliability skilled musicians qualities a violin was examined. first experiment, violinists were allowed freely play set different then asked rank by preference. Results showed that self-consistent, but large amount inter-individual variability...

Performers often discuss the sound quality of a violin or obtained by particular playing techniques, calling upon diverse vocabulary. This study explores verbal descriptions, made performers, distinctive timbres different violins. Sixty-one common descriptors were collected and then arranged violinists on map, so that words with similar meanings lay close together, those far apart. The results multidimensional scaling demonstrated consistent use among many words, highlighted which are used...

In this paper, how the notion of violin quality is conveyed in spontaneous verbalizations by experienced violinists during preference judgments investigated. The aims study were to better understand musicians conceptualize quality, what aspects sound and playing experience are essential, associations formed between perceptual evaluation physical description. Upon comparing violins varying make age, players interviewed about their preferences using open-ended questions. Concepts identified...

The goal of this study is to investigate the perception different bow mass distributions using an experimental violin bow. position centre and moment inertia were independently modified through five distinct configurations, which tested by multiple violinists. Various perceptual tests, including three discrimination tests a free evaluation test, conducted. Concepts from Signal Detection Theory used calculate representative sensitivity value, considering participants’ sureness in their...

This paper reports on a project that quantified the effects of sonic boom exposure human responses, in situations representative daily life European citizens, to inform policy, and develop protection concepts for new generation supersonic commercial aircraft should emit reduced but perceivable while flying overland. Two simulators were affixed bedroom windows house located our university campus. The used study indoor participants’ responses simulated “outdoor” booms. Testing took place both...

Violin makers and acousticians have long sought correlations between sound qualities, construction parameters vibroacoustic measurements. This is challenging for three main reasons: it difficult to build violins reliably enough ensure that the change in only a result of intended parameters; no clear link has been found so far measurements perceived qualities; when listening being played, differences tend be smoothed out by players who adapt very quickly. Therefore, while we previously...

Significance Old Italian violins are widely believed to have playing qualities unobtainable in new violins, including the ability project their sound more effectively a hall. Because instruments now priced beyond reach of vast majority players, it seems important test fundamental assumption tonal superiority. A recent study found that, under blind conditions, violin soloists generally prefer and unable distinguish between old at better than chance levels. This paper extends results listeners...

In a simple model, the reed of clarinet is mechanically loaded by series combination acoustical impedances instrument itself and player's vocal tract. Here we measure complex impedance spectrum players' tracts using an head adapted to fit inside mouthpiece. A direct current shunt with high resistance allows players blow normally, so can simulate tract condition under playing conditions. The reproducibility results suggest that "muscle memory" reliable for this task. Most use single, highly...

An object of study in mechanics for more than three hundred years, the violin has only recently been scientifically studied from a perceptual point view. A range investigations which have conducted since 2005, complemented by few studies other instruments, offers an illustration possible methodologies, and serves as basis discussing their respective advantages, well limitations issues. Since methodological choices depend on goals theoretical (conceptual) choices, this review focuses new...

Synthesised acoustic guitar sounds based on a detailed physical model are used to provide input for psychoacoustical testing. Thresholds of perception found changes in the main parameters model. Using three-alternative forced-choice procedure, just-noticeable diff erences presented frequency and damping modes body, also tension, bending stiff ness strings. These compared with measured data range variation these selection guitars.

Some of the most prized woods used for backs and sides acoustic guitars are expensive, rare, from unsustainable sources. It is unclear to what extent back contribute sound playability qualities guitars. Six steel-string were built this study same design material specifications except back/side plates which made varying widely in availability price (Brazilian rosewood, Indian mahogany, maple, sapele, walnut). Bridge-admittance measurements revealed small differences between modal properties...

In order to facilitate the development of wrist-worn vibrotactile devices, detailed knowledge about how vibrations are perceived by users is needed. particular, perceptual thresholds in amplitude really important. Thresholds have been measured literature for other areas body, but given variability reported between (shape threshold curve, position maximum sensitivity), on wrist can not be inferred from previous measurements and must measured. The normal skin surface were evaluated 28...

This work explored how the perception of violin notes is influenced by magnitude applied vibrato and level damping resonance modes. Damping influences “peakiness” frequency response, interacts with this peakiness producing fluctuations in spectral content as well amplitude. Initially, it was shown that thresholds for detecting a change amplitude were independent body damping, A study perceptual similarity using triadic comparison showed largely perceived dimensions. series listening tests...

For centuries, wood, and more specifically spruce, has been the material of choice for violin top plates. Lately, carbon fiber instruments have entered market. Some studies show that composite materials potential advantages making [Damodaran, Lessard, Babu, Acoust. Aust. 43, 117–122 (2015)]. However, no exist evaluate violins made different as judged by listeners. this study, six prototype violins, differing only plate, were manufactured in a controlled laboratory setting. The experienced...

We investigate the behavior of coarse particles confined in foam channels during drainage. Results are reported for particle velocities measured at both microscopic (single channel) and macroscopic (foam) scales, as a function average velocity liquid flow confinement parameter that is ratio diameter to maximal within channel cross-section. Thanks numerical simulations, we show small values cannot be understood with commonly assumed theory channels. Instead, better agreement obtained by...

The role of auditory and tactile modalities involved in violin playing evaluation was investigated an experiment employing a blind task under different conditions: i) normal conditions, ii) with masking, iii) vibrotactile masking. Under each condition, 20 violinists evaluated five violins according to criteria related sound characteristics rated their overall quality relative preference. Results show that both feedback are important the violinists' evaluations but importance depends on...

Results from two previous studies that involved free-playing evaluative tasks showed players are self-consistent in their preference for violins and tend to agree of what particular qualities they look an instrument (in this case, ``richness'' ``dynamic range''). However, a significant lack agreement between violinists was observed, likely because different evaluate the same perceptual attributes ways. The present study thus investigated whether there will be more inter-player if musicians...

This study aimed to quantify, in situations representative of the daily life European citizens, effects sonic boom exposure on human responses, case a new generation supersonic commercial aircraft that should emit reduced (compared past like Concorde) but perceivable while flying overland. Two simulators were affixed bedrooms’ windows house located our university campus. The used indoor participants’ responses realistic “outdoor” booms. Testing took place both living room and kitchen because...