The Concept of a Virtual 3D Clarinet Museum:

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Preserving musical heritage confronts an undeniable temporal asymmetry: performance-based skills gradually disappear with each new generation, leaving sonic artifacts without the interpretative context. This study presents a virtual 3D archive documenting the evolution of the clarinet (1750–2024) through an integrated synthesis of acoustic, material, and performative data. Acoustic impedance spectroscopy characterized the resonant properties of 147 historical instruments; laser Doppler vibrometry measured wall vibrations at 247 points (20 Hz–20 kHz, resolution: 0.5 Hz); and three-dimensional photogrammetry captured geometric profiles (accuracy: ±0.05 mm). Professional clarinetists (n=146) assessed the functionality of the museum prototype through structured questionnaires following interactive exploratory sessions. Spectral analysis revealed differences between national schools: German recordings demonstrated a 22% higher concentration of energy below 1 kHz compared to French recordings; vibrato frequencies differed significantly (German: 3.2 Hz/French: 5.8 Hz). Material composition correlated with timbral characteristics: grenadilla formant peaks (2.3 kHz) contrasted with boxwood formant peaks (1.8 kHz), with damping coefficients of 0.012 and 0.023, respectively. Compositional analysis highlighted mechanical determinism: Mozart’s use of the chalumeau register (34% in K.622) precisely matched the acoustic capabilities of the basset clarinet; chromatic passages increased from 34 instances (Mozart) to 156 (Spohr) following Müller’s introduction of the thirteen-key innovation. Interactive 3D models facilitate kinesthetic experiments impossible with fragile specimens; spectral visualizations translate subjective timbral descriptions into quantifiable parameters. Educational applications include preserving performance traditions—regional practices documented before standardization erased distinctions. The museum’s structure integrates photogrammetric models with acoustic measurements, enabling diachronic repertoire analysis across the clarinet’s 274-year evolution.