These scientists explored the good vibrations of the bundengan and the didgeridoo

Enlarge / THE Bundengan (LEFT) began as A combined shelter/instrument For duck hunters but he East NOW often plays on the scene. Utrezz0707/CC BY-SA 4.0

There is rarely time has to write about each cool science-y history that come OUR path. SO This year, were once Again running A special Twelve Days of Christmas series of posts, highlighting A science history that fell through THE cracks In 2020, each day Since December 25 through January 5. Today: THE surprisingly complex physics of two simply built instruments: THE Indonesian Bundengan And THE Australian Aboriginal didgeridoo (Or didjéridou).

THE Bundengan East A rare, endangered instrument Since Indonesia that can imitate THE her of metallic gongs And cow skin drums (kendangs) In A traditional gamelan together. THE didgeridoo East A iconic instrument partner with Australian Aboriginal culture that product A Single, severe buzzing note that can be continuously supported by qualified players. Both instruments are A subject of scientist interest because their relatively simple construction product a few surprisingly complicated physics. Two recent studies In their acoustic properties were Featured has A early December meeting of THE Acoustic Company of America, detained In Sydney, Australia, In conjunction with THE Australian Acoustic Society.

THE Bundengan originating with Indonesian duck hunters as protection Since rain And other negative terms while In THE field, double as A musical instrument has pass THE time. It is A half dome structure woven out of bamboo divides itself has form A trellis grid, crisscross has THE high has form THE dome. That dome East SO covered with layers of bamboo sheaths detained In place with sugar palm fibers. The musicians typically sit legs crossed inside THE dome-shaped resonator And gather THE ropes And bars has play. THE ropes produce metallic sounds while THE plates inside generate impactful drum shaped sounds.

Gea Oswah Fatah Parikesit of University Gadja Mada In Indonesia has has been to study THE physics And acoustic of THE Bundengan For several years NOW. And Yes, he can play THE instrument. "I necessary has learn has TO DO THE research," he said during A conference press Report. "It is very difficult because You to have two different blocking fashions For THE RIGHT And LEFT hand sides. THE RIGHT hand East For THE melody, For THE chain, And THE LEFT East For THE pace, has gather THE agreements."

A lot of Parikesit Before research on THE Bundengan concentrate on THE unusual metal/percussive her of THE some ropes, especially THE critical role plays by THE placement of bamboo clips. He used computer science simulation of THE chain vibes has glean preview on how THE specific similar to a gong her was product, And how those vibes change with THE addition of bamboo clips located has different sections of THE chain. He find that add THE clips product two vibes of different frequencies has different Locations on THE chain, with THE longer section having A high frequency vibration compared with has THE lower frequency vibration of THE shorter part of THE chain. This East THE key has manufacturing THE similar to a gong the sound.

This time around, Parikesit was plot by THE do a lot Bundengan the musicians to have note THE instrument sounds better wet. In do, several years There is, Parikesit assisted A Bundengan concert In Melbourne during THE summer When he was very hot And dry—so a lot SO that THE the musicians brought their own water spray bottles has ensure THE instruments stayed (preferably) fully wet.