Abstract
Percussion instruments offer a wide range of frequencies from the lowest gongs to the highest bells. The natural modes of vibrations of all percussion instruments produce overtones, which are inharmonic. Builders of keyboard percussion instruments must carve bars in specific ways to include a few harmonic overtones of their choosing. Garry Kvistad, founder/owner of Woodstock Percussion, Inc., has built a set of tubes/rods, which he calls the Vistaphone, carefully tuned to the first 32 partials of the harmonic overtone series. In this presentation, Mr. Kvistad will demonstrate how polyrhythmic patterns played slowly can be sped up by means of a proprietary software program to yield musical intervals that correspond to the ratios of just intonation. After this introduction illustrating the relationship of pulse and pitch, the Vistaphone will be played to reinforce the phenomena of pure harmonic relationships. The listener will be able to experience the pure harmonic overtone series in just intonation which yields a rich bouquet of sustained sound with a multitude of harmonically related difference/summation tones. The only way to obtain this effect acoustically is to build a unique instrument of this type.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
