ASIM - Acoustics for string instrument makers: a yearly European training school
Résumé
In the 21st century, luthiers are facing more and more international competition from the best factory-made and low cost hand-made instruments. Success depends on understanding what potential clients want, what is good or bad and avoiding poor decisions at any stage during making. Acoustics is useful in the quest to understand how instruments work as sound radiating machines. Knowing about vibration and sound radiation can inform about what is most important and what a particular change can be expected to do to the sound and playing feel. Since no two pieces of wood are identical luthiers need to adjust their geometry as work progresses to make use of their materials to best advantage. Acoustic measurements can thus be very helpful for such adaptive making as luthiers will have a lot more information on which to base their judgement and they are likely to be in a better position to decide what physical change is needed. In addition to learning about the vibro- acoustical function of instrument, it benefits them to learn about human hearing. It is extremely informative to take part in controlled listening experiments (though often frustrating and humbling). In order to help luthiers develop these skills in acoustics and critical listening, a training school was organised in 2017 at ITEMM (thanks to the support of the WoodMusick COST action). It has now been implemented as a yearly event, travelling across Europe to increase the possibility of exposure for both students and professionals at an affordable cost. Thus, the second training school took place in Belgium (Instrument making ? School of Arts, Ghent), the third one in Germany (Musical instrument making school, Mittenwald) and the next one wil happen in Italy (Politecnica delle Marche University, Ancona). It offers fundamental courses in (musical) acoustics along with critical listening tests and practical projects combining vibro- acoustical measurements and listening/playing tests.