CCBANTA
The Romance of Instrument Design and Bar Percussion Specialties

** SCIENCE FACTOID **

 

The pitch from the longer/lower bars is weaker than the pitch from the shorter/higher bars.   

 

This instrument demonstrates that the quality of pitch resonance is based on its column length in relation to its column width.  For example:

 

• A resonator whose length is twice as long as its width would represent a length-to-width ratio of 1:2

• A resonator whose length is four times as long as its width would represent a length-to-width ratio of 1:4.

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The larger (wider) the width to its length (1:2) creates a fatter more substantial resonant tone.  The larger cross-section is able to move more air thus bringing more energy to the eardrum.

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In opposite, the smaller (skinnier) the resonator width is to its length (1:4), its energy cannot drive or push the surrounding air with much force.  Instead, the energy it creates is small compared to its larger cross-section counterpart, and hence not as loud.

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What the recording demonstrates is the lower pitched, or longer resonator tone sounds much thinner than its shorter counterparts.

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...and, the higher pitched or shorter resonator tones sound much fuller or fatter in sound.