Acoustic dampening for musical strings; use, method, and string

Abstract

A viscoelastic polymer matrix is used for configuration and adjustment of acoustical properties of a musical string for bowed and plucked instruments; the polymer matrix is not covering the surface of the string but is provided between the core and the at least one sheath or between wound sheaths around the core: The polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent.

Claims

1. A musical string for bowed and plucked instruments comprising a core and at least one sheath wound around the core, further comprising a polymer matrix between the core and the at least one wound sheath or between wound sheaths or both; wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent, characterized in that the polymer matrix is viscoelastic, wherein the particle concentration is between 30 g and 60 g of particles per kg of polymer matrix.

2. A musical string for bowed and plucked instruments comprising a core and at least one sheath wound around the core, further comprising a polymer matrix between the core and the at least one wound sheath or between wound sheaths or both; wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent, characterized in that the polymer matrix is viscoelastic, wherein the solid state particles are non-magnetic or free from heat activated pigments or both.

3. The musical string according to claim 2, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles form a mesh network of independently mobile nano-particle agglomerates.

4. The musical string according to claim 2, wherein the viscosity of the binding agent is in the range of 60.000-400.000 mPa*s at 25° C.

5. The musical string according to claim 2, wherein a concentration of said particles is between 10 g and 100 g of particles per kg of polymer matrix.

6. The musical string according to claim 2, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles are inorganic and/or inorganic-organic.

7. The musical string according to claim 2, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale particles contain at least one of the following: silicate, oxide, sulfate, carbonate.

8. The musical string according to claim 2, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles comprise at least one of silicates, oxides or hydroxides.

9. The musical string according to claim 2, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles comprise at least of one of the following compounds: silicon oxide, hydrated aluminum silicate, hydrated magnesium silicate, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, carbonate and sulfate.

10. A musical string for bowed and plucked instruments comprising a core and at least one sheath wound around the core, further comprising a polymer matrix between the core and the at least one wound sheath or between wound sheaths or both; wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent, characterized in that the polymer matrix is viscoelastic, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles have a median size of 10-500 nm.

11. The musical string according to claim 10, wherein median size is 10-50 nm.

12. A method for configuration and adjustment of acoustical properties of a musical string for bowed and plucked instruments; the string comprising a core and at least one sheath wound around that core; the method comprising providing a polymer matrix between the core and the at least one wound sheath or between wound sheaths or both; wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent, characterized in that the polymer matrix is viscoelastic, wherein the solid state particles are non-magnetic or free from heat activated pigments or both.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the viscosity of the binding agent is in the range of 60.000-400.000 mPa*s at 25° C.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale particles contain at least one of the following: silicate, oxide, sulfate, carbonate.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles comprise at least one of silicates, oxides or hydroxides.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles comprise at least of one of the following compounds: silicon oxide, hydrated aluminum silicate, hydrated magnesium silicate, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, carbonate and sulfate.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises measuring a sound profile on a string without polymer matrix and measuring a comparative sound profile of a corresponding string with a polymer matrix included in the string and comparing the sound profiles for evaluation of the difference of the acoustical properties pertaining to the addition of the polymer matrix.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles are inorganic and/or inorganic-organic.

19. A method for configuration and adjustment of acoustical properties of a musical string for bowed and plucked instruments; the string comprising a core and at least one sheath wound around that core; the method comprising providing a polymer matrix between the core and the at least one wound sheath or between wound sheaths or both; wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent, characterized in that the polymer matrix is viscoelastic, wherein the method comprises inducing in the polymer matrix the formation of a mesh network of independently mobile agglomerates by the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the inducing of the agglomeration comprises adjusting the concentration the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles above a pre-determined limit, wherein the pre-determined limit is equal to or above the lower concentration limit for formation of a mesh network of independently mobile agglomerates.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the pre-determined limit is at least 10 g particles per kg of polymer matrix.

22. A method for configuration and adjustment of acoustical properties of a musical string for bowed and plucked instruments; the string comprising a core and at least one sheath wound around that core; the method comprising providing a polymer matrix between the core and the at least one wound sheath or between wound sheaths or both; wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent, characterized in that the polymer matrix is viscoelastic, wherein the particle concentration is in the range of 10-100 g particles per kg polymer.

23. A method for configuration and adjustment of acoustical properties of a musical string for bowed and plucked instruments; the string comprising a core and at least one sheath wound around that core; the method comprising providing a polymer matrix between the core and the at least one wound sheath or between wound sheaths or both; wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent, characterized in that the polymer matrix is viscoelastic, wherein the particle concentration is in the range of 30-60 g particles per kg polymer.

24. A method for configuration and adjustment of acoustical properties of a musical string for bowed and plucked instruments; the string comprising a core and at least one sheath wound around that core; the method comprising providing a polymer matrix between the core and the at least one wound sheath or between wound sheaths or both; wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polymeric binding agent and insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles embedded in the binding agent, characterized in that the polymer matrix is viscoelastic, wherein the sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles have a median size of 10-500 nm.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein median size is 10-250 nm.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In this respect, the invention will be described with reference to the figures

(2) FIG. 1: Comparison of sound spectra. Cello A string without modification (Reference) against Cello A string with binding agent modification (Composition 3).

(3) FIG. 2: Comparison of sound spectra. Cello A string without modification (Reference) against Cello A string with binding agent modification (Composition 4).

(4) FIG. 3: An example of a string according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) Objective measurement of sound character is made possible through sound analysis which can be visualized as a sound spectrum showing the fundamental tone at its resonant frequency, including the overtones which give the sound its unique character.

(6) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the two sound spectra produced by Composition 3 and 4 respectively. FIG. 1 compares the spectrum of a Cello A string containing regular binding agent without modification (reference) with a Cello A string in which the binding agent has been infused with nano-particles as specified in Composition 3. This binding agent contained, by mass, 6% titanium oxide nano-particles with a median particle size of 100 nm. The result shows marked sound spectrum changes. Following binding agent modification, the peak vibration level (dB) of the 5th harmonic overtone (=major third) is reduced, the 6th harmonic overtone (=fifth) is increased, the 7th harmonic overtone (=flat seventh) is increased, and the 8th harmonic overtone (=octave) is reduced. The developed A string exhibits a new, altered sound profile.

(7) Comparably, FIG. 2 reveals differences between the sound spectra of a reference Cello A string and a Cello A string with binding agent modification as specified in Composition 4. This binding agent contained, by mass, 6% silicon oxide nano-particles with a median particle size of 250 nm. As is obvious, the binding agent modification of Composition 4 achieves a radically altered sound spectrum when compared to the reference, but is also distinctly different from Composition 3 in FIG. 1. The peak vibration level of the 3rd harmonic overtone (=fifth) is reduced, the 4th harmonic overtone (=octave) is slightly elevated, whereas the peak vibration levels of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th harmonic overtones are all reduced. The modification to this Cello A String results in greater dampening of certain aspects of its sound.

(8) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the string 1 comprises a core 2 and a first wound sheath 3 wound directly around the core and a second sheath 4 wound around the core 2 by being wound around the first sheath 3. The sound-dampening viscoelastic polymer matrix is provided around the core 2 in the interspace 5 between the core 2 and the first sheath 3. It is also provided in the interstices 7 between the windings of the first sheath 3. Furthermore, alternatively or in addition, the sound-dampening viscoelastic polymer matrix can be provided in the interspace 6 the first wound sheath and the second wound sheath 4 and correspondingly in the interstices between the windings of the second wound sheath. However, due to its viscoelastic properties, which implies stickiness and high friction, the polymer matrix is to be avoided on the surface 8 of the string 1. Instead, a low friction polymer matrix can be applied to the surface, for example as described in US2009/0158912.

(9) Aspects:

(10) In the following, optional embodiments are described as aspects.

(11) Aspect 1. Musical string, particularly for bowed and plucked instruments, comprising at least a core and at least one sheath wound around that core, further comprising a dampening and/or binding agent applied to at least one of the following: The core, between the core and the first wound sheath, on the sheath material, between wound sheaths; wherein the dampening and/or binding agent in well defined form contains insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles, wherein solid state particles are non-magnetic.

(12) Aspect 2. Musical string according to aspect 1, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles are embedded in the binding agent matrix, forming a mesh network of independently mobile nano-particle agglomerates.

(13) Aspect 3. Musical string according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles are inorganic and/or inorganic-organic in nature.

(14) Aspect 4. Musical string according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale particles are silicate containing, oxide containing, sulfate containing, sulfide containing and/or carbonate containing particles.

(15) Aspect 5. Musical string according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles consists primarily of silicates, oxides or hydroxides, or comprises at least one of these compounds.

(16) Aspect 6. Musical string according to aspect 4, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles either consist or comprise at least of one of the following compounds: Silicon oxide, hydrated aluminum silicate, hydrated magnesium silicate, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, carbonate and sulfate.

(17) Aspect 7. Musical string according to aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles have a median size of 10-500 nm.

(18) Aspect 8. Method of configuration and adjustment of dampening properties, and thereby the acoustical properties of musical strings, particularly for bowed and plucked instruments, in which insoluble, non-magnetic, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles are added to a dampening and binding agent, applied to at least one of the following: The core, between the core and the first wound sheath, onto the sheath material or between wound sheaths.

(19) Aspect 9. Method according to aspect 8, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles are silicate-containing, oxide-containing, sulfate-containing, sulfide-containing and/or carbonate-containing particles.

(20) Aspect 10. Use of a dampening and/or binding agent infused with insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles for defined configuration and adjustment of dampening properties and thus acoustical properties of musical strings.

(21) Aspect 11. Use of a dampening and binding agent infused with insoluble, sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles for defined configuration and adjustment of at least one of the following properties of musical strings: Mechanical stability, stiffness, flexibility and lifespan.

(22) Aspect 12. Use according to aspect 10 or 11, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles are non-magnetic.

(23) Aspect 13. Use according to aspect 10 or 11, wherein sub-micrometer size, nano-scale solid state particles are silicate-containing, oxide-containing, sulfate-containing, sulfide-containing and/or carbonate-containing particles.