The f-hole on string instruments

These days we almost take the f-hole for granted: all instruments in the violin family use this shape for sound hole, which is optimal. Some smart luthier must have figured out the science way back. Well, it might be less "scientific" than I thought but rather a result of natural selection: according to a recent study, it evolved from many other shapes, including a C-like shape. The designs that makes the instrument louder were chosen over the others and eventually all luthier use the f-shape.

I also found it interesting that not only violin magazine mentioned it but also the Economist! I guess the economic Darwinism aspect suits its readers. One question remains: why does flat-top acoustic guitar still use one big round sound hole in the middle? Maybe the f-shape is only optimal for arch-top.

More strange listening experience

I wrote about some unusual experience with the radio the other day. This time it is even more strange. I picked up this book called "The Jazz Ear: conversations over music" from the library because I had nothing better to do the other day. The author asked each interviewee to pick some music to discuss. I usually try finding them on Rhapsody while reading. When I got to the chapter about pianist Andrew Hill, I was too lazy to search for the exact tunes and simply switch the TV to Comcast's Jazz channel on Music Choice just to listen to some jazz to accompany the book. It was playing Dave Brubeck's "Blue Rondo A La Turk" from the album "Time Out" Guess what? In the paragraph I was reading: Andrew Hill was commenting on this exact tune! Man, it's a bit scary, isn't it?