Towards A Coherent Terminology And Model Of Instrument Description And Design

Abstract

This paper discusses the need for a framework for describing musical instruments and their design, and discusses some possible elements in such a framework. The framework is meant as an aid in the development of a coherent terminology for describing, comparing and discussing different musical instruments and musical instrument designs. Three different perspectives are presented; that of the listener, the performer, and the constructor, and various levels of descriptions are introduced.