Note coupling in Caribbean steel drums
D. Scott Hampton, Clifford Alexis, Thomas D. Rossing · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1987
The acoustical behavior of Caribbean steel drums is characterized by strong coupling between the different note areas [T. D. Rossing, D. S. Hampton, and J. Boverman, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1 80, S102 (1986)]. This makes it difficult to maintain tuning stability, especially in the harmonics of the various notes. An improved new design makes use of double grooves to separate the various note areas. By means of holographic interferometry, the note coupling was compared in two comparable double second (alto) drums, one with single grooves and one with double grooves. The drum with double grooves exhibits less internote coupling at high amplitudes, and better tuning stability.