Harpsichord modal behavior

Abstract

The modal behavior of the harpsichord in the acoustics laboratory at the University of Iowa was determined by percussing approximately 600 points on the external surfaces of the instrument with an instrumented hammer. Both the input from the hammer and the response of the harpsichord were recorded. The data were digitized and the response of each tapped point was converted to a numerical value. These data have been processed into a computer-generated, three-dimensional video tape showing the harpsichord's vibrating modes from 0–500 Hz. Of particular interest is the way in which all the external structural elements of the harpsichord can be shown to vibrate at some point. The results of this work agree closely with the published [E. L. Kottick, Galpin Soc. J. 48, 55–77 (1985)] and unpublished data developed by the authors of this paper.