Material-Dependent Sound and Vibration of a Styrian Harmonica Reed Block
* Presenting author
Abstract:
While traditional reed blocks of Styrian harmonicas are made of wood, 3D-printing offers new possibilities, but requires different materials. Our contribution investigates the influence of the material on the radiated sound of a reed block and its surface vibration. Therefore seven geometrically identical reed blocks made of different materials were made and equipped with structurally identical reeds. Each block was measured isolated, i. e. removed from the instrument, while being excited by a controlled air flow. In steady-state condition, the sound pressure was captured with a single microphone centered above the reed block and the acceleration was measured in three directions at several positions of surface. The results reveal that the radiated sound is similar for most of the materials, although the surface vibration shows a stronger material dependency. Hence the surface contributes marginally to the radiated sound of an isolated reed block. However, when integrated, the reed block will excite radiating surfaces of the instrument and the material of the block may have a larger influence on the resulting sound.