The Physics of the Violin

By Lothar Cremer

Book Overview

This major work covers almost all that has been learned about the acoustics of stringed instruments from Helmholtz's 19th-century theoretical elaborations to recent electroacoustic and holographic measurements. Many of the results presented here were uncovered by the author himself (and by his associates and students) over a 20-year period of research on the physics of instruments in the violin family. Lothar Cremer is one of the world's most respected authorities on architectural acoustics and, not incidentally, an avid avocational violinist and violist. The book--which was published in German in 1981--first of all meets the rigorous technical standards of specialists in musical acoustics. But it also serves the needs and interests of two broader groups: makers and players of stringed instruments are expressly addressed, since the implications of the mathematical formulations are fully outlined and explained; and acousticians in general will find that the work represents a textbook illustration of the application of fundamental principles and up-to-date techniques to a specific problem. The first--and longest--of the book's three parts investigates the oscillatory responses of bowed (and plucked) strings. The natural nonlinearities that derive from considerations of string torsion and bending stiffness are deftly handled and concisely modeled. The second part deals with the body of the instrument. Special attention is given to the bridge, which transmits the oscillations of the strings to the wooden body and its air cavity. In this case, linear modeling proves serviceable for the most part--a simplification that would not be possible with lute--like instruments such as the guitar. The radiation of sound from the body into the listener's space, which is treated as an extension of the instrument itself, is the subject of the book's final part.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0262527073
• ISBN13: 9780262527071
• Release Date: November 1984
• Publisher: MIT Press
• Length: 482 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

An Acoustic Algorithm

An erudite exploration into the scientific measurements and resonant elements that "languages" the soul-speak of this beloved instrument. This study is an unapologetic assessment of the physical body of the instrument without compromising it's romantic aura. The mystique and speculation have continued unabated for centuries in regard to the violin. From spectrographic analysis of the wood fibers to the placement of the sound holes the violin is the most continually explored man-made phenomenon extant. While not a resolution to this age-old dichotomy it does lend credible expert witness to the violin's mathmatical/tonal relationship. If you desire to understand the subtle nuances of the violin's character whilst maintaining an objective appreciation this is your book. Whether you're a luthier at the bench, playing "first chair" at the philharmonic or a reader in a recliner, this is a treasure trove you're sure to enjoy. Truly one of a kind!