Listen to this ancient Chinese bone flute | The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment, and Power

Amazing stuff!

"Bone flutes from the Neolithic period are the oldest known Chinese musical instrument relics. This rare surviving specimen, crafted from a vulture wing bone, closely resembles examples associated with the Xinglongwa culture of northeast China, which dates back approximately eight thousand years.

Sound tests conducted on replicas of similar five-holed flutes have shown that they can produce a series of five tones within a single octave. Although their exact function remains unknown, these flutes were likely used in ceremonies or for personal expression, suggesting that music was already a part of human life at the dawn of civilization."

The Magical Flute exhibition at Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix

This could be a nice exhibition!

"Experience the enduring impact of the world’s first wind instrument in The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment, and Power. Explore more than 100 remarkable flutes from the dawn of music to the present day and celebrate the resounding influence of the flute on cultures from around the world. Discover how people across history have used flutes of all forms, shapes, sizes, and materials to express the rich human experience. ...

See rare and historic flutes such as a bone flute made around 8,000 years ago by people of the Xinglongwa culture of China, an exquisite bamboo hitoyogiri made for 14th-century Japanese emperor Go-Daigo, and crystal flutes owned by Napoleon and Louis Bonaparte. The exhibition also features instruments owned and played by internationally renowned musicians such as American jazz flutist Herbie Mann, Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai, and Northern Irish classical flutist Sir James Galway. ..."

The Magical Flute - Musical Instrument Museum "Beauty, Enchantment, and Power" opening on November 11

Made by the Wayana people of Suriname, kiyapok were traditionally played in pairs. This rare example is made from bamboo and intricately painted. 

This paixiao panpipe from China’s Qing dynasty is shaped like a phoenix’s wings, painted in red and gold, and decorated with dragons.

This ornately decorated Rudall & Rose ivory flute from 19th-century England is embellished with carved floral motifs and gold keys.

Nigeria’s xylophone sound echoes into new era

Recommendable! I like xylophone music!

The shape of a musical triangle produces its unique sound

It is about time that this simple, but amazing musical instrument gets some scientific attention.

"... Tanigawa and collaborators measured the 2-dimensional sound fields around triangles using acousto-optic imaging.

As sound waves move through the air, they cause vibrations which change air density and therefore the speed at which light travels through the air. Acousto-optic imaging can capture the differences in laser light travelling through this air to study sound vibration patterns. ...

“By observing the sound field of a triangle for the first time, we captured phenomena not previously explored through microphone observations.”

They found that acoustic resonance occurs in the semi-open triangular air created by the musical triangle. ...

“When the wave reached the bend, the direction of travel changed according to the triangular shape, and the first sound wave interfered with the subsequent sound wave.

The identical sound waves, moving in opposite directions through the instrument, become superimposed on top of each other to produce higher amplitude standing waves.

“These results suggest that the standing waves were formed by the combinations of radiations from the 3 sides of the triangle,” ..."

From the abstract:

"Musical triangles, known for their triangular shape with one open end, have fascinated people with their twinkling sound. However, the acoustic factors behind the triangular shape remain unexplained.

We discovered that their triangular shape induces a phenomenon conducive to sustained sound. We measured two-dimensional sound fields around musical triangles using an acousto-optic imaging method. Through our analysis, we found that acoustic resonance occurs in the area of semi-open triangular air created by the musical triangle. Consequently, the resonance produces a louder and longer sound. We believe that the resonances are the acoustical reason for the triangular shape."

The shape of a musical triangle produces its unique sound

How the shape of the musical triangle influences its sound (open access)

Fig. 1 Experimental setup. (a) Schematic diagram of PPSI used in our experiment, (b) Experimental setup for triangle sound measurement. Data from the microphone and camera were recorded synchronously.

An 1864 chitarriglia, by Joachim Tielke | Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars

Recommendable!

The organ of Notre-Dame resonates in the cathedral, for the first time since the 2019 fire

This probably sounds incredible, but the sound quality of the video is not great!

Trump sits in the front row between Macron and Macron's wife. Jill Biden just one over. We probably have to thank the First Lady that her husband has not resigned three years ago for fitness reasons!

Key personnel at the Peabody Institute of music and dance

How do you maintain a collection of 330 pianos?

Key personnel | Hub "Peabody has a massive collection of grand pianos for virtuosos and those in training. Meet the talented techs who keep them tuned and performance ready"

Renée Kelsey tuning one of Peabody's 300-plus pianos

Oud made by Rufan and Abdou Nahat

Recommendable!

Historical Clarinet Demonstration: Baroque Clarinet and Chalumeau

Recommendable! Amazing sounds!

Introducing the Baroque Oboe

Very recommendable!