An organological approximation of Mayan noise generators.

Abstract

Within the versatile corpus of prehispanic sound producing instruments there is a group of wind instruments properly known as “noise generators”, “air‐spring flutes”, or “Mayan clarinets”. Since their extraordinary acoustic mechanism evolved during the Classic Period (300–900 AD) by Mesoamerican or rather the Maya culture, these sound producing instruments emit very complex sounds which can be described as raspy and noisy. In Mexican and Guatemalan museums and collections, there are numerous specimens of these so‐called noise generators, either unearthed during excavations or belonging to private collections, which have rarely been studied before. With this work we plan to present the acoustical and organological characteristics of different varieties found in various archaeological sites.