Piezoelectric-polymer sensors for investigating musical instruments

Inhalt:
Owing to their low thickness, piezoelectric-polymer films facilitate the detection of structure-borne sound even in systems for which the integrity of vibrational properties is crucial, particularly in musical instruments. The design of the film sensor can easily be adapted to the individual measurement task. Organ pipes, pianos, free-reed as well as bowed-string instruments have already been investigated by use of minimally-invasive piezo- polymer sensors; these studies are briefly reviewed here. Lately, the interaction between the instrument and its bowing excitation was studied on violins. To this end, film sensors were installed under the violin bridge and on the bow. Musical instruments represent not only pleasing cultural tools, but also complex technical systems that present significant challenges for reliable sensor measurements and their evaluation. The lessons learned from such investigations are also useful in many other areas of technology.