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(American Journal of Botany. 2006;93:1439-1448.)
© 2006 Botanical Society of America, Inc.

Physiology and Biochemistry

Wood for sound1

Ulrike G. K. Wegst2

Max-Planck-Institut für Metallforschung, Heisenbergstr. 3, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany; and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Materials Sciences Division, Berkeley, California 94720 USA

ABSTRACT

The unique mechanical and acoustical properties of wood and its aesthetic appeal still make it the material of choice for musical instruments and the interior of concert halls. Worldwide, several hundred wood species are available for making wind, string, or percussion instruments. Over generations, first by trial and error and more recently by scientific approach, the most appropriate species were found for each instrument and application. Using material property charts on which acoustic properties such as the speed of sound, the characteristic impedance, the sound radiation coefficient, and the loss coefficient are plotted against one another for woods. We analyze and explain why spruce is the preferred choice for soundboards, why tropical species are favored for xylophone bars and woodwind instruments, why violinists still prefer pernambuco over other species as a bow material, and why hornbeam and birch are used in piano actions.

Key Words: wood • acoustical properties • materials selection • musical instruments




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K. J. Niklas, H.-C. Spatz, and J. Vincent
Plant biomechanics: an overview and prospectus
Am. J. Botany, October 1, 2006; 93(10): 1369 - 1378.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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