In the spring of 2019, American researcher Risako Tanigawa was in Seattle to present her research on what we call the musical triangle. This small but powerful instrument is famous for its distinctive sound. Tanigawa’s research, published under the DOI: 10.1121/10.0036383, marks the first time that scientists have observed the sound field of the triangle, revealing phenomena not previously explored through traditional microphone techniques.
Make a triangle by taking a length of coat hanger and bending it into the shape of a triangle. The performance hall’s open corner adds to its idiosyncratic special acoustics. That seeming simplicity conceals a raw and complicated sonic world, one that boasts rich overtones and nonharmonic resonance. This reported study illustrates that resonances still occur with this notched, open corner. It’s the very precise nature underlying that shape that plays a huge role in that sound quality.
Tanigawa’s field recordings documented a unique variety of acoustic phenomena that many researchers had previously never been able to witness. The research investigated the acoustic environment of the triangle. It provided insight on how the physical form of this diminutive instrument affects its sound production. This new line of inquiry opens up some really exciting questions. Would a triangular musical instrument made in a different shape produce the same lovely tune that we so adore from the original form?
The results are promising and indicative that resonance could extend beyond the triangle’s existing design. It opens up options for investigating how other instrument contours might play a role in shaping their sound profiles. On the cutting edge, researchers inside and outside of industry are exploring the acoustics of musical instruments. Their research will not only make a difference beyond the triangle, but may influence instrument design in various musical traditions.
