Borneo lute ‘sape’: The frequency spectrum and time frequency analysis (TFA)

Abstract

Sound elements were studied for a six strings sape, a traditional instrument. The frequency was evaluated using a frequency spectrum and a time frequency plane. PicoScope oscilloscopes and Adobe Audition version 3 were used to record the acoustic spectra. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis was used for the Fourier spectra (using PicoScope) and time frequency analysis (TFA) spectrograms (using Adobe Audition). The Fourier spectra identified the partial frequencies up to 10th overtone. The sape have an acoustic spectrum pattern with a constant harmonic overtone. Open strings 1 through 6 have notes F3, F3, A3, Bb3, G3, and C4, respectively. String 1 has 17 frets. Strings 2 through 6 are for drone purposes with no fret. The open string 1 and frets 1 through 17 have notes F3, G3, A3, Bb3, C4, D4, E4, F4, G4, A4, Bb4, C5, D5, E5, F5, G5, A5, and C6. String 1 has 2 octaves in the F major key with a jumping note in the third octave, which consists of F5, G5, A5, and C6 only.