Revisiting a classic experiment in violin acoustics as a classroom demonstration or laboratory activity

Abstract

In 1982, Carleen Hutchins built a violin to conduct experiments largely to learn about the role of air cavity resonances on the overall sound produced by the violin. This violin was of a standard design except for 65 holes 5 mm in diameter drilled into the ribs. The holes could be selectively plugged with corks for experimentation. Carleen Hutchins was a skilled luthier, and this violin, playfully called “Le Gruyère,” was a finely crafted musical instrument. For an introductory acoustics general education laboratory course, a version of Hutchins' Swiss cheese violin was created by drilling holes in the ribs of a factory-made student-model violin. Students in the course have the opportunity to replicate classic acoustics experiments or this violin can be used for class demonstration purposes. In this presentation, the advantages and challenges of implementing this activity as a laboratory or classroom demonstration are discussed.