Applications of Bioacoustics in Physical Modeling and the Creation of New Musical Instruments

The similarities between biological and musical acoustic systems has lead to the idea that bioacoustics, and understanding of animal sound production, could provide models for new musical instruments. Physical modeling synthesis of these systems offers the musician the ability to manipulate natural sound, much in the same way s/he would a traditional musical instrument. In this research, the sound mechanism of the cicada is modeled and the musical potential of it’s vocalization is explored. The cicada instrument is programmed in C++ and runs in real-time. A glove, equipped with force sensing resistors (FSRs) on each of the fingertips, allows for control of parameters such as the volume of the cicada’s abdomen, and the stiffness of its tymbal plate.