Aeroacoustics of Musical Instruments

TLDR

Wind instruments generate sound by coupling a hydrodynamic source to an acoustic resonator, and while linear acoustics can predict pitch, the complex behavior of flue instruments cannot be captured by simple universal models. The study aims to model the sound quality and playability of musical instruments by accounting for nonlinear acoustic behavior and fluid mechanics. The authors employ real‑time numerical solutions of nonlinear physical models to synthesize sound in virtual instruments, capturing deviations from linear acoustics. The approach can significantly reduce the trial‑and‑error process in designing new instruments.

Abstract

We are interested in the quality of sound produced by musical instruments and their playability. In wind instruments, a hydrodynamic source of sound is coupled to an acoustic resonator. Linear acoustics can predict the pitch of an instrument. This can significantly reduce the trial-and-error process in the design of a new instrument. We consider deviations from the linear acoustic behavior and the fluid mechanics of the sound production. Real-time numerical solution of the nonlinear physical models is used for sound synthesis in so-called virtual instruments. Although reasonable analytical models are available for reeds, lips, and vocal folds, the complex behavior of flue instruments escapes a simple universal description. Furthermore, to predict the playability of real instruments and help phoneticians or surgeons analyze voice quality, we need more complex models.