Influence of Playing on the Tonal Characteristics of a Concert Piano - Dataset

Dataset supporting conference proceedings publication:

## Abstract

Well-maintained pianos are said to ”mature” and to ”change for the better” over the first years. When auditioning concert
pianos for purchase, technicians do often not choose the best sounding instrument but the one with the greatest potential
for future development. The present work addresses the following questions: Are structural changes measurable on a
piano after one year of operation in a concert house? Are these changes perceivable by listeners?
Measurements are performed on two occasions: First, on a brand new instrument prepared for sale. Second, on the same
piano after having been played for one year in a concert hall. Single notes are recorded with dummy-head-microphones
in player position in an anechoic chamber. An extended ABX listening test engaging approx. 100 players, tuners,
and builders, addresses the questions whether a variation in tonal quality is audible and if so, what sound properties
could lead to a perceived difference. Semantic sub-grouping allows for indication on the vocabulary listeners of varying
expertise use to verbalize their sensation. The statements give hints on what could have changed over the year and
are used as a basis for the analysis of corresponding physical properties and psychoacoustic parameters related to the
described sensations.

## Data Structure

### Naming Rules:

Example: 'D1_PROD07_01__0000_M0000.csv'

Ignore the D1

PROD07 is before the year in a concert hall, PROD08 is after the year.

01 is the key (range: 01-88)

Ignore the 0000.

M0000 is the take (range: M0000-M0004)

.csv files contain the data, the corresponding .txt files are the headers.

### Columns in .csv file:

Time [s]; Time vector

Kistler 9722A500 [N]; Force sensor, measures the key / key bed impact force

PCB 352C23 [m/s^2]; Acceleration sensor, measures the acceleration at the bridge (at the hitch pins of the corresponding string) in direction normal to the soundboard. 

HSU 3.2 left [Pa]; Left ear channel of dummy head, measures sound pressure in player position.

HSU 3.2 right [Pa]; Right ear channel of dummy head, measures sound pressure in player position.

sample rate = 50000

The listening test utilizing this dataset is still online (however, your input will not be evaluated): http://www.culturalheritage.digital/listeningtest/

Feel free to contact me for comments or questions: [e-mail]