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Wooden Musical Instruments Different Forms of Knowledge Book of End of WoodMusICK COST Action FP1302
Abstract
Musical instrument are fundamental tools of human expression that reveal and reflect historical, technological, social and cultural aspects of times and people. These three-dimensional, polyma-teric objects-at times considered artworks, other times technical objects-are the most powerful way to communicate emotions and to connect people and communities with the surrounding world. The participants in WoodMusICK (WOODen MUSical Instrument Conservation and Knowledge) COST Action FP1302 have aimed to combine forces and to foster research on wooden musical instruments in order to preserve, develop and disseminate knowledge on musical instruments in Europe through inter-and transdisciplinary research. This four-year program, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), has involved a multidisciplinary and multinational research group composed of curators, conservators/restorers, wood, material and mechanical scientists, chemists, acousticians, organologists and instrument makers. The goal of the COST Action was to improve the knowledge and preservation of wooden musical instruments heritage by increasing the interaction and synergy between different disciplines. 25 € Illustrations: Front cover © Succession Picasso; isbn 979-10-94642-35-1 / printed in france / october 2018
... We focused on the materials used for musical instruments of symphony orchestras representing the classical music culture. We consulted 17 literature sources in wood and material sciences (Bucur, 2006;Wegst, 2006;Pérez and Marconi, 2018;Bucur, 2016;Bennett, 2016;Wegst et al., 2007;Bucur, 2019;Angyalossy et al., 2005;Brémaud and Poidevin, 2013;Richter, 1988), instrument making and online supplier for parts of instruments (Möckel, 1997;Jahnel, 1981;Paulus Bowparts, 2022;Dullat, 1990), and possible materials used in the case of reference only mentioning a genus or common name (Dullat, 1990;Venkatasamy et al., 2006;Botanic Gardens Conservation International, 2022a) to find out the type(s) of material(s) used for musical instrument parts and the corresponding taxa. We created two major hierarchically structured data sets as the foundation. ...
A classical symphony orchestra consists of up to 29 musical instruments manufactured from up to 758 distinct natural materials. The interrelationships between the extraction of raw materials for instrument making, the international trade conditions, and the protection status of endangered species and their ecosystems are highly complex and have yet to be sufficiently scientifically examined. However, rapidly progressing climate and ecological change call for sustainable solutions. To address this challenging task, we present MusEcology, a new interactive decision support system based on visualizations. The interactive visualizations offer entry points for users of various backgrounds to explore the interrelationships between musical instruments, natural resources and ecosystems. The tool’s fundamental objectives are to guarantee that the (1) data processing correlates related data resources, that (2) visual interfaces and interaction schemes encourage new interdisciplinary research on complex systems interactions, and that (3) high-level decision-making is supported to identify alternative pathways towards sustainable instrument making.
... Prior to this work, CT scans of musical instruments were already performed. The main objectives of these studies were mostly diagnostic, mainly for the state of conservation assessment, or with the purpose of showing and studying the internal structure of the instruments [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. ...
In this work, two historical flutes of the late eighteenth century were analysed by means of X-ray computed tomography (CT). The first one is a piccolo flute whose manufacturer is unknown, though some features could suggest an English or American origin. The second musical instrument is a baroque transverse flute, probably produced by Lorenzo Cerino, an Italian instrument maker active in Turin (Italy) in the late eighteenth century. Analyses carried out provided information on manufacturing techniques, materials and conservation state, and are suitable to plan restoration intervention. In particular, through the CT images, it was possible to observe the presence of defects, cracks, fractures and previous restorations, as well as indications of the tools used in the making of the instruments. Particular attention was directed towards extracting metrological information about the objects. In fact, this work is the first step of a study with a final aim of determining an operative protocol to enable the making of precise-sounding copies of ancient instruments starting from CT images, that can be used to plan a virtual restoration, consisting in the creation of digitally restored copies with a 3D printer.
... The sound of the heritage violins manufactured by the great masters of Cremona -Stradivari, Guarnieri, Amati -are considered the highest level of violin art for which, even after a few centuries, they are still used as a model by the current violin producers [1]. Some studies have highlighted the importance of the quality of the resonance wood used in the construction of musical instruments [2][3][4], others have analyzed by means of modern techniques the vibrations of the violin body, determining the frequencies and the natural modes [5][6][7], other researches have focused on the acoustic characteristics of the heritage violins determined under both conditions: laboratory as well as in real conditions of use by artists. It is a certain fact that all the studies undertaken in international COST-type projects compared under all the above-mentioned aspects the structural, geometrical, modal and acoustic characteristics of heritage violins with those of current ones, without offering technical solutions to improve the acoustic quality of violins by modifying some technological parameters [8][9][10]. ...
The aim of the paper is to presents the experimental results related to physical and mechanical characteristics of resonance wood, one of the most qualitative wood material. Resonance wood, mainly spruce (Picea abies L) is used for musical instruments manufacturing and Romania is well known for resonance wood located in Gurghiu Mountains. Physical features of resonance spruce in terms of colour, ring width, ring regularity, latewood proportion and density were determined on samples provided by musical instruments factory from Reghin. The density profile of resonance spruce samples was determined using the X-Ray Density Profile Analyzer DPX300 and color of samples was obtained by means of chroma meter CR-400 Konica Minolta. Mechanical properties as elasticity modulus, viscous modulus, damping were obtained using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
This research article focuses on two objectives: examining the design concepts and construction techniques of musical instruments made from recycled materials by Uthen Pialor and exploring the materials used and their associated benefits. The researcher utilized a case study research design, conducting qualitative research through semi-structured interviews. The interviews covered three key aspects: design concepts, construction techniques, materials used, and benefits derived from using recycled materials. Findings revealed innovative design concepts, prioritizing sturdy recycled materials and integrating natural elements. Uthen Pialor successfully created 15 instruments across four types using everyday materials. Benefits included addressing instrument scarcity, increasing waste material value, environmental contributions, improved accessibility, streamlined production, reduced costs, and applicability in teaching and learning. These findings demonstrate social benefits and potential for future instrument development.
This study focused on the use of Near InfraRed (NIR) Spectroscopy to address the lack of tools and skills for wood identification of Dalbergia species from Madagascar. Two sample sets of 41 wood blocks and 41 wood cores belonging to four Dalbergia species (D. abrahamii, D. chlorocarpa, D.greveana, and D. pervillei) were collected in the northern and western regions of Madagascar. Sapwood and heartwood NIR spectra were measured onwood at 12% moisture content by using a portable VIAVI MicroNIR 1700 spectrometer. Four discrimination models corresponding to sapwood and heartwood of the two sample forms were developed using Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLSDA). Good accuracy of 83.3% and 81.8% were obtained from the heartwood-based PLSDA models respectively for wood blocks and wood cores samples. All D. chlorocarpa samples were well-classified by the two models. Results highlighted the potential of portable NIR Spectroscopy as a helpful tool tosupport sustain- able management and trade of Madagascar’s Dalbergia species. Further studies are, however, needed for its operational use in identification routine.
In the world of cultural heritage, a wide range of artefacts and buildings are made of wood and, therefore, are subjected to moisture-induced stress and strain cycles, owing to environmental fluctuations. Simultaneous action of moisture and mechanical loads lead to a mechanosorptive effect on wood. Therefore, an increase in time-dependent creep, due to mechanical loads, is observed. The assessment of these complex phenomena entails the use of advance and interdisciplinary approaches. Consequently, this article reviews experimental and mathematical methods to study these degradation mechanisms in wooden artefacts and timber elements in heritage buildings. The paper presents the results of a six-step descriptive literature review, providing an overall picture of the ongoing research. Experimental techniques need to be improved so that they are in line with the conservation principles. The combination of experiments and simulations is a reliable predictive approach for better assessing the potential risk damages due to temperature, humidity cycles, and mechanical loads in complex structures. Thus, advanced numerical simulations and mathematical modelling include climate data and experimental measurements. This work also provides an overview of research performed on different categories of cultural heritage characterised by multi-layer structures. The mechanical response to wood–moisture relation is affected by the level of complexity of these structures. Finally, the use of realistic models is limited by knowledge about the material properties and the behaviour of complex structures over time. In addition, research gaps, limitations, and possible future research directions are also provided. This review may represent a starting point for future research on the thermo-hygro-mechanical behaviour of wood heritage.
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