Input impedance measurements of alto saxophones with a calibration error analysis

Abstract

Recent investigations are presented for the measurement of acoustic input impedance of wind music instruments. Initial efforts have focused on measurements of alto saxophones using a two-microphone, three-calibration tube procedure. We first present the design of the impedance probe, as well as the data sampling and analysis procedures. We then discuss the relationship between errors in the calculated calibration parameters and the resulting measured transfer functions. Finally, we compare the input impedances of Yamaha Z and Selmer Series II alto saxophones for several low register fingerings. We note several instances where the Yamaha saxophone possesses significantly stronger fundamental resonances than the Selmer saxophone.