Generation and Analysis of a Database of Geometrical and Acoustic Properties for the Modern Almenräder-Heckel System Bassoons

Vincent Houde-Turcotte

Université de Montréal

Monday, September 16, 2019 from 15:40 to 16:00

in Summer Theater

Abstract :
The bassoon is one of the orchestral instruments that still requires further research in the field of musical acoustics and data on the instrument's design is scarce. The main objective of this project is to provide a database of geometrical and acoustical properties measured on a large number of bassoons. Different types of data are included such as bore measurements obtained with a new automated measuring tool, tone hole positions/sizes/heights, impedance and sound pressure measurement with an artificial mouth and verbal description of the instrument’s timbral qualities and playability by the owners. Measurements are entered on the PAFI (Plateforme d’aide à la facture instrumentale), which will be available to all users. The theoretical digital model proposed by the platform can be refined on the basis of the comparison with the measurements. The long-term goals is to trace the evolution of the Almenräder-Heckel bassoon over the last century and also to propose a new design to instrument makers corresponding of an optimal middle ground between the different versions of this instrument, such as the long tone holes of the wing joint, which cause many acoustical issues while being essential to obtain the timbre desired nowadays by players worldwide.

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