Percussion instruments are frequently used in
musical performance. The percussion sound radiation
characteristics are strongly related to structural vibration modes.
This paper presents the approach of virtual testing (VT) by the
integration of finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental
modal analysis (EMA) techniques for the design analysis of
several types of percussion instruments. First, the procedure for
model verification is introduced and shown the basic principle for
validating the finite element model by adopting FEA software
and performing EMA. The sound spectrum of percussion
instrument can then be measured to identify the most contributed
structural modes and compared with those modal parameters
obtained from FEA and EMA. Three types of percussion
instruments, including a xylophone bar, a metallophone plate and
a gong, are shown to demonstrate the idea of VT for the redesign
of new type of percussion instruments. This paper shows how the
structural modal properties affecting the radiated sound of
percussion instruments and reveals the philosophy for geometry
modification to achieve the target designs of percussion
instruments.