A Computational Analysis of Timbre and Tuning for the Rebab and Makyung Music Traditions of Malaysia

Relation between the timbre of an instrument and tuning system used for said instrument are clear and expected with instruments tuned to just interval ratios such as the case with the sitar and the Indian music tuning systems. This study looks to computationally examine if any relation exists between the timbre of the rebab, a Malaysian traditional stringed instrument and the tuning system used in Makyung (also spelled as Makyong or Mak Yong) performances, a form of traditional musical dance-drama from Malaysia that was proclaimed a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2005.