Acoustics of the forgotten Tapi two-strings lute of Lun Bawang

Abstract

The Tapi two-strings lute is typically made from Pulai (Alstonia spp.), a light hardwood in the Apocynaceae family. This study determines the tuning retrieval of the Tapi two strings lute instrument. This work investigated the string notes using a microphone for recording the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of the signal to determine the fundamental and the partial frequency of Tapi two strings lute instrument. The Tapi was tuned to the E major key with F#, C#, G#, and D# note. The time frequency analysis (TFA) showed that each open string has its own timbre characteristics. The open string 1 showed only 3 important partials, whereas open string 2 showed 6 important partials. Frets 2, 4, 6, and 8 showed more partials than frets 1, 3, 5, and 7. Both fret 9 and 10 showed a similar number of partials. Frets 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 showed less partials and were evenly distributed, whereas fret 17 clearly showed only 4 partials.