title: Conformal scanning laser Doppler vibrometer measurement of tenor steelpan response to impulse excitation.
abstract: A conformal scanning laser Doppler vibrometer system is used in conjunction with a mechanical pannist to measure the surface normal vibration of the entire playing surface of a C-lead tenor steelpan. The mechanical pannist is a device designed to deliver controlled, repeatable strikes that mimic a mallet during authentic use. A description of the measurement system is followed by select examples of behavior common to the results from three different excitation notes. A summary of observed response shapes and associated frequencies demonstrates the concerted placement of note overtones by the craftsmen who manufacture and tune the instruments. The measurements provide a rich mechanical snapshot of the complex motion that generates the distinctive sound of a steelpan.
authors.affiliation: Center for Acoustics, Vibration and Structures, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glean
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vignola
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Judge
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004301:Doppler Effect; D004867:Equipment Design; D007834:Lasers; D009146:Music; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013499:Surface Properties; D014732:Vibration