Force Vibration Music Instrument: Increase Vibration w/out Electricity

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around enhancing the vibration of a classical acoustic guitar and a coiled aluminum cord attached to it, without the use of electricity. Participants explore various methods and materials to achieve increased vibration, considering both theoretical and practical aspects of sound transmission in musical instruments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to amplify the vibration of their guitar using a tightly twisted aluminum cord, emphasizing the need for a method that does not involve electricity.
  • Another participant questions the suitability of aluminum for this purpose, suggesting that its deformability may hinder vibration compared to materials traditionally used in string instruments.
  • A suggestion is made to consider air pressure as a means to induce vibration, similar to techniques used in reed instruments.
  • One participant expresses a desire for a pliable material that can be easily manipulated while still effectively transmitting sound, asking for recommendations on alternatives to aluminum.
  • Another participant reflects on the historical development of musical instruments, suggesting that commercially available options may already be optimized and expressing uncertainty about the potential for improvement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best material or method to achieve the desired vibration. There are competing views regarding the suitability of aluminum and the effectiveness of alternative approaches, such as air pressure.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the properties of various materials in relation to sound transmission, noting that sound travels faster in solids and that the hardness of a material can influence its vibrational characteristics. However, there is no resolution on the specific material that would best meet the participant's needs.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in musical instrument design, sound engineering, or those exploring non-electric methods of sound amplification may find this discussion relevant.

pegamoide1234
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
I am working on a forced vib project involving a musical instruments

I am trying to have the vibration of my classical acoustic guitar increase, however NO ELECTRICITY CAN BE INVOLVED, and also trying to make the vibration of a piece of tightly folded aluminum that is attached to my guitar to vibrate more.

Trying to get my guitar to vibrate this "folded/tightly twisted aluminum foil cord" as much as possible. Chose al because it is relatively cheap disposable and easy to find, and transmits sound very well.

The CORD is not touching anything other than a piece of the guitar that resonates a lot so as to prevent dampening.

I need the CORD SPECIFICALLY TO VIBRATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, without electricity!

Any ideas to get more VIBRATION?

ty in advanced
 
Engineering news on Phys.org


Air pressure?
I'm sorry, but I really don't understand the question. That might just be on account of me not being the least bit musical. I'm just now learning to play the radio.
 


Regular room temperature and air pressure.

Ok friend, I am just trying to basically "amplify" my guitar without electricity in a sense.

Just a regular guitar, with a tightly twisted aluminum self made "cord" which I improvised.
You just take a piece of aluminum foil and make a "coiled cord" out of it.
You just take it and twist it at both ends until it is a tight "cord".

Do you understand? What do you not understand?

Thank you a million, this is my life's ambition and work to get this right

I just want to have that " coiled aluminum cord" to vibrate as much as possible so that if someone touches it at the other end, the person will feel the vibration as much as possible.
This cord is approximately 10 feet long.
 


Actually, the suggestion of air pressure was the only part of my post that wasn't meant as a joke.
I'm wondering why you want to use aluminum, though. It's supremely unsuited to the purpose. The whole reason that guitar and piano strings are made of steel, and other string instruments use high tensile materials such as animal parts or polymers, is that they aren't easily deformable. Deforming is what aluminum does best. It will most likely just bend, rather than vibrate.
The suggestion of air pressure was to use it as it is used in an accordion or other reed instrument to force vibration without the use of electricity.
I can't think of any other practical method, unless you have a pocket-size water wheel on hand.
 


Thank you for your quick reply, much valued bro

What material would you use instead?

The material ideally should be plyable and easy to bend to my heart's content.

I tried every state of matter, and combinations of them.

As widely known Sound travels faster in solids, and the harder the solid the best, so Ideally diamond would be the best, as sound travels fastest in diamond according to:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/sound-speed-solids-d_713.html

Medium Velocity
(m/s) (ft/s)
Aluminum 6420 21063
Brass 3475 11400
Brick 4176 13700
Concrete 3200 - 3600 10500 - 11800
Copper 3901 12800
Cork 366 - 518 1200 - 1700
Diamond 12000 39400
Glass 3962 13000
Glass, Pyrex 5640 18500
Gold 3240 10630
Hardwood 3962 13000
Iron 5130 16830
Lead 1158 3800
Lucite 2680 8790
Rubber 40 - 150 130 - 492
Steel 6100 20000
Water 1433 4700
Wood (hard) 3960 13000
Wood 3300 - 3600 10820 - 11810

What pliable material that will bend to my desire that is not very expensive would you recommend?

Or, what do you have in mind ideally?

Any ideas are gold for me ty
 


I really don't know much about this, but my gut feeling is that instruments have been perfected over hundreds or even thousands of years. New technology is incorporated as it becomes available, so I have to think that what you can buy off of the shelf is as good as you can get. I certainly can't improve upon it. That's not to say that you can't; I just have absolutely no background in this subject. I wish you all success in your quest, but I'm afraid that I can't be of any help.
Maybe checking out Mark Wood can be of assistance. He builds his electric heavy-metal violins out of pink lawn flamingos and other unlikely materials.
Here's a peek at him:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Wood_(violinist)
 
Last edited:


lol thanks mate, ill look into it
radio virtuosity!
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K