Flute acoustics: measurement, modelling and design - School of ...

CHAPTER 2. THEORY AND LITERATURE REVIEW 29
Strong (1979) with a half-dozen empirical parameters to model the modern flute. These parameters
are machine-learned from a training set of impedance spectra for all standard fingerings
and some alternative fingerings. The model is accessed through a user-friendly web page.
The software in its current form does not allow geometrical changes to the flute model, as it is
intended primarily for use by flute players rather than makers.
This work extends the model used in The Virtual Flute, making it accurate for flutes of varying
geometry. While the idea of a flute model itself is not novel, its close association with a
highly accurate and extensive database of flute impedance spectra should provide the accuracy
and reliability required by instrument makers. Furthermore, a great deal of effort was put into
the design of the user interface to the model. The use of a simple graphical interface widens significantly
the pool of potential users of the software, making the work of musical acousticians
much more widely available.