Offset Drumbeat
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here.
This animation shows the vibrations of a drumhead after a single hit with
a drumstick at a point halfway from the center to the rim.
(See notes below.)
The vertical scale is greatly exaggerated so that the
effects of higher modes of vibration are discernable. A more complete visual
analysis of the vibrating circular membrane is available; it includes
a longer version of this animation, as well as others. It also includes depictions
of over two dozen of the normal modes of vibration.
Write for details.
I showed this animation and its
companion—which
shows a drumhead vibrating
after being struck at its center—to
my brother, Jeff Talman, who is a trained musician. He said "No-one ever strikes a drum
dead center. It doesn't sound good."
(11/30/07)