Numerical simulations of bar percussion instruments

Abstract
A numerical model of vibrating bars is developed in order to investigate the behavior of mallet percussion instruments in the time domain. This paper focuses on two major characteristics of such instruments : the nonlinear interaction between the bar and mallet, and the fine tuning of the bar. The latter feature is obtained by simulating a bar with variable section, by means of an implicit finite difference scheme. Simulated bar velocity waveforms and spectra are compared with measurements on real instruments. Auditory evaluation of the model is carried out for different bar materials, geometries, and conditions of impact.