Abstract and References
Transactions on Science and Technology Vol. 4, No. 4, 437 - 441, 2017

Effects of String Tension to Fundamental Frequency of Sound and Body Vibration of Sape

Tee Hao Wong, Jackson Hian Wui Chang, Fuei Pien Chee, Jedol Dayou
ABSTRACT
 Sape is one of the popular stringed type traditional musical instruments in Sarawak, Malaysia. It was normally played to a form of ritualistic music to induce trance in the past. It is now gradually became a social instrument to accompany dances and for entertainment and therefore, there is a growing interest in this instrument. This paper discusses the effects of the string tension to the sound frequency and body vibration produced. This effect was investigated using three sapes made from the same wood but with different sizes. The study began by tuning the string of the instrument into three different tensions (high, medium & low). The string was plucked as in ordinary play which causes the body of the sape to vibrate, and at the same time generate sound. The sound signal was recorded using a microphone simultaneously with the body vibration signal using an accelerometer. These signals were then analyzed in MATLAB to obtain the fundamental frequency from the frequency spectrum. It was found that for high and medium string tension, the fundamental frequency of both the body vibration and sound of the sape give similar values. However, when the string tension is low, the fundamental frequency of the sound produced was higher compared to body vibration. This could be because string at higher tension modifies the vibrational mode of the sape body according to its frequency.

KEYWORDS: Sape; traditional musical instrument; fundamental frequency; string type musical instrument; tension effects
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REFERENCES

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