A study on vibration of Setar: stringed Persian musical instrument

Knowing how a musical instrument vibrates can benefit the tonal characteristics shaping of the instrument. In this research, an approach for investigating the mode shapes and natural frequencies of Setar body is addressed. First, mechanical properties of wood used in the production of Setar are analyzed experimentally. Then a numerical modal test is performed to find the mode shapes and natural frequencies of Setar structure. To validate the results obtained by the numerical method, experimental modal testing is also done for the structure, and it is found that the results of both the methods are in good consistency. As the vibration pattern of plates is of utmost importance in the production of musical instruments, vibration patterns of a Setar plate are experimentally extracted and the results are compared with finite element analysis.