Optimizing Marimba Tuning for Temperature Variations: A Scientific Approach

[Marimba Australia]

How did you find PF?

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I make marimbas, and I have invented a few variations (www.marimbaaustralia.com)

I am interested in how sound moves through the wooden bars - in particular the effect that temperature has and how to compensate during tuning on different temperature days.

I have almost no algebraic knowledge though - sorry.

I have a thermometer set up with a scale along the degrees - with a 3 cent + or - for each degree Celsius, yet I don’t thing I have it right.

I would love to be able to tune bars flat or sharp in any temperature and have them exactly at A=440hz at 21 degrees Celsius.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[anorlunda]

Welcome to PF. What an interesting field.

I suggest that your question would be best posted here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/forums/general-engineering.113/

 

[Marimba Australia]

Thanks, I have done that now.