Visualizing Strings - (what are they doing in the dark that we don't know about?)

[Donnie Byrd]

Alan W Deverell wrote:
> 
> Bob - I would be very interested to see such film, however, as a
> diagnostic tool the cost of filming and the delay in getting the film
> developed may be a bit TOO protracted (but perhaps not as long and it
> has taken me NOT to get the idea going and tested):-)))
> 
> AlanD
> 
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org
> >[mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
> >Of R. Goodale
> >Sent: Friday, August 14, 1998 3:11 PM
> >To: pianotech@ptg.org
> >Subject: Re: Visualizing Strings - (what are they doing in
> >the dark that
> >wedon't know about?)
> >
> >
> >Alan W Deverell wrote:
> >>
> >> Dear List,
> >>
> >> About 10 years ago I began assembling the components to
> >build a high
> >> intensity Xenon Strobe (light) which together with a
> >Hewlett Packard
> >> Spectrum Analyzer, Signal/Pulse Generator etc. would
> >enable me to SEE
> >> just what the strings in different pianos where doing that
> >gave them
> >> their individual tonal qualities.
> >SNIP
> >> What I envisaged was that we could produce a device,
> >somewhat similar
> >> to an Automotive Timing Light, which, together with analytical
> >> instructions (for more serious work some appropriate
> >> ancillary/optional equipments), may be helpful in the
> >design, problem
> >> solving, voicing etc. of pianos (and perhaps other stringed
> >> instruments).
> >SNIP
> >> Just think of ALL those niggley problems that occur - they can be
> >> heard - but - because they can't be seen or readily measured - they
> >> can't be easily pinpointed or accurately identified.
> >>
> >> Perhaps someone has already done this ?
> >
> >Alan,
> >
> >There is a high-speed film somewhere of a piano wire vibrating after
> >being struck with a hammer. I beleive it was made by engineers at
> >Kimball. (Now there's a contradiction in terms!).  Anyway,
> >Rick Florence
> >at ASU did a nice presentation using it a few years back at
> >the Deerborn
> >convention. (Jim, I'm certain you know all about this).
> >Anyway, you get
> >a very interesting perspective regarding the relationships
> >of the hammer
> >and string, and even more so, how the string vibrates. Your
> >idea sounds
> >equally interesting and I would be very interested in seeing
> >it if you
> >can get it up and running.
> >
> >Rob Goodale, RPT
> >
About 20 years ago, I saw a display at the Boston Museum of Science &
Industry (I think that was the name) of sound harmonics in color.  You
might want to see it or see what their study was.

Donnie