Quantifying What You Hear...

[RicB]

Hi Matt

Thanks for your detailed and interesting reply to all of us who 
responded.  As I mentioned to Stephane,  with Stephen Birkett close by 
you will no doubt have a hard time veering off the objective course.

Seems like you are breaking down the kinds of concepts you'd like to 
<<define>> or clarify into two groups.  The first being more mechanics 
related and easier to put a finger on.  The second moving into very 
difficult ground as you mention in your response to David M.  I'd be 
interested in hearing an airing of terms you think it might be possible 
to attempt some kind of quantification, and just a little about what 
kind of quantifications you are thinking would apply.

 From your first post I got the impression you were looking at how 
different soundboards themselves respond, and ways of attempting to put 
at least some qualitative descriptors to these various measurable 
responses.  That kind of implies to me looking at several soundboards as 
isolated from other variables as possible.... which would become real 
expensive and cumbersome real quickly.  But in another response you 
mention manipulation of hammers, and other <<superficial>> (from a piano 
technisk perspective) issues.  I'd be also interested in your initial 
thinking about how you see these variables affecting soundboard 
modes/frequencies.

Of course its too expensive for practicalities... but I'd just love to 
see someday someone isolated soundboard design issues and subject them 
to this kind of research.  There has been some done, mostly in relation 
to rib dimensions... but only enough to whet ones whistle as it were.

You are no doubt aware of the Five Lectures available on the Swedish PTA 
site.  But just in case I will post the link once more for general 
interest anyways.

http://www.speech.kth.se/music/5_lectures/


Cheers
RicB