Piano string excitation: Theory and reality
Donald E. Hall · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1987
An idealized model of piano string excitation has been shown soluble by a combination of analytic and computer techniques. It is also useful to step aside from the mass of details this model generates, and discuss general physical arguments about what overall envelopes should limit the string vibration spectra produced. This also provides a framework for more careful consideration of the limits of validity of the theory. It is argued that the most important weakness is the non-Hookean nature of the hammer compliance, followed by string stiffness effects; possible ways of including these effects will be considered. Further laboratory measurements of string motion will be presented, especially bearing upon the question of whether striking the string a fraction 1/N of its length from one end does or does not cause mode number N to be missing from the spectrum. Measurements of radiated sound that would help clarify the role of the soundboard will also be considered.