Experimental and Numerical Approach in the Acoustical Behaviour of Kefalonian Traditional Instruments Made from Different Materials

The present investigation deals with two types of traditional Kefalonian musical instruments, anakar and skortsmpouno respectively. Within the present research, static and dynamic mechanical properties, as well as the water uptake of several wood types as candidate construction materials for anakar and skortsmpouno were evaluated, with the purpose to select the most appropriate ones from both structural and acoustic viewpoints. Further on, a numerical study by FEM was performed to investigate the production of (non-) differential sound quality, depending on the construction material. Based on the experimental results, several anakar instruments were designed and manufactured (i) traditionally from two wood types and (ii) by using modern materials and techniques - 3D printing of poly lactic acid (PLA). Finally, acoustical measurements were carried out using BIAS software and studio recording processing of skortsmpouno and anakar, in order to compare the acoustical behavior depending on the construction material. The conducted analysis revealed small divergence of the sound quality in correlation with the different materials used for the construction of the tube. On the contrary, the use of different materials for the construction of the bell resulted in significant divergence in the sound quality of both instruments.