Choosing strings for plucked musical instruments
Published version
Peer-reviewed
Repository URI
Repository DOI
Change log
Authors
Woodhouse, Jim https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6645-1635
Lynch-Aird, N
Abstract
The various factors constraining the choice of synthetic polymer and natural gut strings for musical instruments are discussed, including a newly-formulated constraint based on the internal damping of the string material. It is shown that all these constraints can be summarised graphically in a design chart, and calibrated versions of the chart are presented for monofilament strings of nylon, fluorocarbon and natural gut. Based on these charts, detailed case studies are presented for the stringing of a lute and a harp. An explanation is suggested for why harpists continue to favour gut over nylon.
Description
Keywords
33 Built Environment and Design, 40 Engineering, 51 Physical Sciences, 3302 Building, 4017 Mechanical Engineering, 5103 Classical Physics
Journal Title
Acta Acustica united with Acustica
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
1610-1928
1861-9959
1861-9959
Volume Title
105
Publisher
Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH