Behind the Sound: Take a Bow
The Physics Behind the Violin
What is the difference between a beginner violinist and a professional? Well, for one, a professional doesn't sound like a dying cat. And how do you not sound like a dying cat? The answer: physics.
Over time, the violin has been an instrument loved by all. Its sweet sound vibrates through the air, catching the breath of listeners in awe. But this sweet sound is not easily achieved by all. It takes time and practice to perfect the art of the violin and use of the bow in order to create the best sound the violin can produce.
The violin is built of many different parts made to make the violin produce a good sound, if used correctly. There is a soundbox, strings, fingerboard, bridge, sound post, f holes, and many more important parts in order to make the violin produce a good tone. Along with a specifically made bow, a good sound can be produced.
The Bow
The bow is very important in the production of good tone on the violin. It is typically made of materials such as wood or carbon fiber, with horse hairs to be pulled along the strings of the violin. The hairs on the bow are tightened before pulling them perpendicularly across the strings, creating a friction that produces a vibrating sound. This bow is very important, with the bridge allowing the sound to vibrate and ring into the air. The quality of the tone and sound depend on the tension of the bow hairs, the pressure of the bow as it is drawn across the strings, as well as the placement of the bow on the strings. Typically, the sweet spot for good tone is in between the bridge and the fingerboard, producing a clean, vibrant sound when the bow is drawn across the string with the perfect amount of pressure.
The bow is also very importance since it controls the projection of the sound. The more pressure used on the bow, the greater the production of sound will be. The sound will project to be clearer and more crisp, ringing throughout the entire room. On the contrary, if less pressure is placed on the bow, the sound will be soft and delicate. If the bow isn't placed on the correct part of the string, the tone will not be as clear and good.
Pitch
The different pitches and notes are produced with the strings on the violin. There are 4 strings on the violin: G, D, A, and E, the G string being the thickest string, and the E being the thinnest string. The thicker string produces a lower pitch, whereas the thinner the string produces a higher pitch. The A string is the second thinnest string and has a fundamental frequency of 440 hertz per second. When the A string is in tune and is played, it produces a note called "Concert A." As you place your fingers down onto the string, the sound will change, producing a different pitch due to the amount of room available for the sound to vibrate. The closer the finger is placed to the bridge, the less room there will be for the sound to vibrate, thus causing the pitch to sound higher, producing a higher note. Thus, the finger must by accurately placed on the string in order to create a tone with its perfect intonation. By placing your finger on certain parts of the strings, notes can be produced, creating beautiful melodic melodies and lines.
The art of playing the violin is a fascinating thing. There are many factors that come into play in order to be able to create a clean, vibrant sound that produce a beautiful sound. These sounds are not always easy to achieve, but by knowing the physics behind the violin, you can learn to become a violinist too!
Sources:
http://illumin.usc.edu/73/the-violin-the-art-behind-the-sound/
http://www.violintutorpro.com/the-physics-behind-the-bow-stroke/
http://www.violinist.com/blog/CityFolk66/20145/15850/
What is the difference between a beginner violinist and a professional? Well, for one, a professional doesn't sound like a dying cat. And how do you not sound like a dying cat? The answer: physics.
Over time, the violin has been an instrument loved by all. Its sweet sound vibrates through the air, catching the breath of listeners in awe. But this sweet sound is not easily achieved by all. It takes time and practice to perfect the art of the violin and use of the bow in order to create the best sound the violin can produce.
The violin is built of many different parts made to make the violin produce a good sound, if used correctly. There is a soundbox, strings, fingerboard, bridge, sound post, f holes, and many more important parts in order to make the violin produce a good tone. Along with a specifically made bow, a good sound can be produced.
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| Parts of a Violin and a Bow |
The Bow
The bow is very important in the production of good tone on the violin. It is typically made of materials such as wood or carbon fiber, with horse hairs to be pulled along the strings of the violin. The hairs on the bow are tightened before pulling them perpendicularly across the strings, creating a friction that produces a vibrating sound. This bow is very important, with the bridge allowing the sound to vibrate and ring into the air. The quality of the tone and sound depend on the tension of the bow hairs, the pressure of the bow as it is drawn across the strings, as well as the placement of the bow on the strings. Typically, the sweet spot for good tone is in between the bridge and the fingerboard, producing a clean, vibrant sound when the bow is drawn across the string with the perfect amount of pressure.
The bow is also very importance since it controls the projection of the sound. The more pressure used on the bow, the greater the production of sound will be. The sound will project to be clearer and more crisp, ringing throughout the entire room. On the contrary, if less pressure is placed on the bow, the sound will be soft and delicate. If the bow isn't placed on the correct part of the string, the tone will not be as clear and good.
Pitch
The different pitches and notes are produced with the strings on the violin. There are 4 strings on the violin: G, D, A, and E, the G string being the thickest string, and the E being the thinnest string. The thicker string produces a lower pitch, whereas the thinner the string produces a higher pitch. The A string is the second thinnest string and has a fundamental frequency of 440 hertz per second. When the A string is in tune and is played, it produces a note called "Concert A." As you place your fingers down onto the string, the sound will change, producing a different pitch due to the amount of room available for the sound to vibrate. The closer the finger is placed to the bridge, the less room there will be for the sound to vibrate, thus causing the pitch to sound higher, producing a higher note. Thus, the finger must by accurately placed on the string in order to create a tone with its perfect intonation. By placing your finger on certain parts of the strings, notes can be produced, creating beautiful melodic melodies and lines.
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Strings on a Violin and their Projected Notes
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Sources:
http://illumin.usc.edu/73/the-violin-the-art-behind-the-sound/
http://www.violintutorpro.com/the-physics-behind-the-bow-stroke/
http://www.violinist.com/blog/CityFolk66/20145/15850/
I love playing the violin but unfortunately am in the dying cat category. It would be so cool to do the physics of the electric violin too!!
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