Acoustical measurement of Indian musical instruments (vina-s): Towards greater understanding for better conservation

Abstract

Among the Musée de la musique collection of non-Western musical instruments are some rare and delicate ones from India, which have been the subject of acoustical investigation for a greater understanding, and hence a better conservation. In the case of the vina-s, the vibration of the string (exciter) plucked by the musician is transmitted to the resonators made from gourd through a flat bridge thus giving the instrument a remarkably singular timber. Acoustical and vibrational measurements were applied in order to determine the acoustic properties of resonators. These techniques are based on gauging the radiated acoustical field triggered by a light impact or a frequency sweep. This analysis confirms the importance given by instrument makers to the painstaking choice of gourd resonators. Thanks to the estimation of resonant frequency - and from the vibrating length - it is possible to hypothesise on the type of strings used (the material, diameter and strain). In short, these analyses make it possible the diagnosis of the mechanical state of constituent elements. These descriptors could facilitate decisions to optimise the choice of gourds in the production of instruments (sitar, tampura) that have today taken on semi-industrial shades.