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Physics of Rudra Veena MELODIC INSTRUMENTS
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Junior Member 19 posts Dhrupadia Junior Member 19 posts
Dhrupadia

I have always been curious as to the physics of Rudra Veena. I would appreciate insight from those who know!

Naively, it seems that, when struck, the dandi produces different frequencies as different overtones.  Now, some of these frequencies will be multiples of the the resonance frequency of the tumbas.  So, tumbas will vibrate at those frequencies.  Which, in turn, will vibrate the dandi back.  So, it seems that the coupling between the two is very important.  Also, tumbas are like Helmholtz Resonators.  It seems that the relationship between the fundamental frequency of the dandi and the fundamental resonant frequency of the tumbas is very important.  What is the physical constraint that forces the preferred Sa of a particular Veena to be a particular pitch?  Why do some Veenas sound dead and some sound alive -- may be because of coupling?
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musicslug Senior Member 345 posts
musicslug
Scott Hackleman believes coupling is key, thinks there doesn't need to be an open tube from the dandi to the tumba, has modified at least 1 vina so that instead of a threaded brass tube, the tumba screws onto the dandi (or the other way around) - all wood-to-wood. also: the size of the opening of a tumba can be altered to tune the tumba. for overtones I think much of it relates to jawari; done well, jawari creates a series of 'nodal points' between the bridge and string, each point generating a different pitch.
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Dhrupadia Junior Member 19 posts
Dhrupadia
Thank you, @musicslug.  

Without an open tube, the air cannot go between, so then Tumbas would be not Helmholtz resonators but more like closed rounded tablis.
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