Numerical and physical experiments on hammer and piano strings

Abstract

Numerical experiments have been made on the piano string with a discrete model using a finite difference calculation procedure. The string model was previously applied to the guitar [A. Chaigne, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1 88, S188 (1990)] and is now tested with experimentally obtained data for the piano. The numerical experiments include systematic variations of parameters such as hammer velocity and nonlinearity of the felt hammer and their influence on generated waveforms and spectra. Earlier physical experiments on pianos have provided data on the velocity of the hammer and the string. In addition, the hammerstring interaction force has been estimated by measuring the compression of the hammer felt during string contact. Recorded string tones and measured waveforms will be presented and compared with typical examples of those calculated.