Frequency Measurement of Musical Instrument Strings Using Piezoelectric Transducers

Abstract

The use of a piezoelectric transducer to monitor the tuning of a musical instrument string has been investigated. It has been shown that the transverse resonance frequencies of the string can be identified by electrical measurements on a low-cost actuator/sensor, sufficiently discreetly to be done during a performance. This frequency measurement approach can be used as the basis for a tuning control mechanism to maintain a musical instrument string at the required pitch, without it having to be plucked or played. Such a system would be of direct benefit to harp players in particular, who have no other means to adjust a mistuned string during a performance. Some of the practical issues and implications of adding such a tuning control system to the harp are considered.</jats:p