Effects of hollowed neck designs on sound radiation and loudness of baglama

Year 2024, Volume: 12 Issue: 3, 245 - 276, 30.09.2024

Yunis Şahinkayası , Emir Değirmenli , Hamide Şahinkayası , Ünal Öztorun

https://doi.org/10.12975/rastmd.20241231

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of two experimental (patented) neck designs on sound radiation and the perceived loudness of the baglama, a stringed instrument. The primary hypothesis of this research is that compared to traditional neck, the experimental neck designs increase the stringed instrument's air volume and vibrating surface area, thereby contributing to radiation efficiency and perceived loudness. Sound radiation analysis based on acoustic modal analysis and psychoacoustic analysis were conducted. First, sound radiation measurements were made in an experimental setup. The data were then examined using the Frequency Response Function (FRF). The results revealed that the experimental necked baglamas’ sound radiated better than the traditional one. Second, listening (N=38) and playability (N=26) tests were conducted in focus group interviews. The participants listened to or played traditional and experimental necked baglamas and rated their loudness. The Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank test on the scores indicated that the participants perceived the experimental necked baglamas as significantly louder than the traditional one. Most participants stated that the experimental necked baglamas sounded higher and had better quality than the traditional one. Psychoacoustic findings corroborated the results of sound radiation analysis.

Keywords

Loudness, Psychoacoustics, Sound radiation analysis, Stringed instruments, Guitar

Ethical Statement

The decision of ethics for the study was received from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board with the date, 07.03.2022 and decision numbered 32. Permission approval for the research was received from the Provincial Directorate of National Education with the date, 23.03.2022 and number E-32889839-605.01-46314363. This study was produced from a master thesis under the first and second author supervision.

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Coordination of Scientific Research Projects of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University (Project No: 20.YL.046). The authors appreciate the University for the financial support.

Project Number

20.YL.046

Thanks

We want to express our gratitude to all the interviewee participants and subject matter experts in this study.

Effects of hollowed neck designs on sound radiation and loudness of baglama

Abstract

A limited number of studies investigate the effects of the neck design on the loudness and radiation of string instruments. In the related literature, it is assumed that the neck serves as a fingerboard and has little or no impact on sound production and radiation for string instruments, although there is no scientific evidence. By redesigning the neck of string instruments, we increased the air volume of the soundbox and vibrating surface area of string instruments. This study investigated the effects of two experimental (patented) neck designs on sound radiation and the perceived loudness of the baglama, a stringed instrument. The primary hypothesis of this research is that compared to traditional neck, the experimental neck designs increase the stringed instrument’s air volume and vibrating surface area, thereby contributing to sound production and radiation efficiency, and perceived loudness. Sound radiation analysis based on acoustic modal analysis and psychoacoustic analysis were conducted. First, sound radiation measurements were made in an experimental setup. The data were then examined using the Frequency Response Function (FRF). The results revealed that the experimental necked baglamas’ sound produced and radiated better than the traditional one. Second, listening (N=38) and playability (N=26) tests were conducted in focus group interviews. The participants listened to or played traditional and experimental necked baglamas and rated their loudness. The Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank test on the scores indicated that the participants perceived the experimental necked baglamas as significantly louder than the traditional one. Most participants stated that the experimental necked baglamas sounded higher and had better quality than the traditional one. Psychoacoustic findings corroborated the results of sound radiation analysis.

Keywords

Baglama, Guitar, Psychoacoustics, Sound radiation analysis, Stringed instruments

Project Number

20.YL.046

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