Banjo Rim Height and Sound in the Pot

TL;DR

This paper reviews the influence of rim and back geometry on the sound produced by a pot, analyzing the internal acoustics and resonance interactions to better understand their subtle effects on overall sound quality.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the theory of sound inside cylindrical pots and revisits previous work on Helmholtz resonance with improved analytical techniques.

Findings

Rim and back geometry significantly affect pot sound.

Helmholtz resonance interacts with the lowest head mode.

Improved techniques clarify the resonance interplay.

Abstract

Rim and back geometry determine much of the behavior of sound inside the pot, whose effect on total, produced sound is subtle but discernible. The theory of sound inside a cylinder is reviewed and demonstrated. And previous work on the Helmholtz resonance and the interplay between the Helmholtz resonance and the lowest head mode is revisited using some improved techniques.