Tuning parameters of a Nigerian slit gong
Jacob Skubal, Nathan Hall, Thomas R. Moore · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2006
The Nigerian slit gong is a wooden idiophone, hand-carved from a single log, that is characterized by its ability to produce two distinct notes when struck. The resonant modes of the gong have been studied using a finite-element analysis model, which was validated by comparing the predicted mode shapes to those observed by electronic speckle pattern interferometry. Using this model, the effects of changing the parameters available to the artisan when carving the instrument have been studied. Results of the model are compared with a simple theory, and the physics of tuning the Nigerian slit gong is discussed.