The Musical Light Bulbs of Michael Vorfeld


(Video Link)


German percussionist Michael Vorfeld creates sound installations by turning different light bulbs on and off. The popping bulbs and flashing lights create a uniquely rhythmic experience for his live audiences. The above video is from a performance last February in Brussels.

Official Website via Urlesque

It's likely most of the acoustic effect is due to the impulse response of the filament going through a rapid temperature change. A filament has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, that is, a lower resistance when cold and higher resistance when hot (that's why they burn out when you first turn them on), and also a positive mechanical coefficient in its dimensions. As the filament achieves steady state temperature after you turn it on, it expands in size generating a mechanical force. Hence, a sound.

I still like the magnetorestrictive theory as well. There's probably a little of that too.
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