Materials in musical instruments.
Uwe J. Hansen · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2011
Materials play an essential role in determining tonal characteristics and tone quality of string and percussion instruments. Their role in wind instruments is a matter of ardent debate among scientists, instrument makers, and performers. For instruments in which the structural elements are primarily responsible for the radiated sound this importance is self-evident. That significance is less obvious for instruments where the structure primarily serves to contain the vibrating air column. A few general concerns will be discussed and specific examples will be given.