Simulation

While waiting to get some power tools so wood cutting can resume, a computer simulation of the sound that the harpsichord would produce has been started.  The simulation is based on the physics of vibration.  Unlike a synthesized harpsichord sound that is adjusted to match the sound of a note played on a harpsichord, the simulation calculates the force transmitted to the bridge of the soundboard from each string when it is plucked.  The force the vibrating string exerts on the bridge is calculated as a function of time.  The force depends on several parameters that are entered for each string including the plucking point along the length of the string, the string diameter, the string density, and the tension on the string.  The vibrations of the string slowly decay due to the drag of air resistance.

The YouTube sound movie linked below was made assuming an infinitely stiff soundboard.  Eventually the simulated vibrations of the soundboard will be added to explore design choices for the bridge and stiffening ribs.  Headphones or high quality speakers are needed to capture the low frequencies.  See if you can hear the difference in the sound between a brass string and steel string, all due to the physics of vibration!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-MiuHUfDos