CQ8

=What does tuning a stringed instrument do? How does that work? =

Tuning a stringed instrument adjusts the pitch of one or many tones to create typical intervals between these tones.

When interference beats are used to measure the accuracy of tuning. As 2 pitches converge a harmonic relationship, the frequency of beating decreases. Harmonics could be used to check the tuning of strings which are not tuned to the unison.

As we know, velocity=wavelength x frequency so frequency= velocity / wavelength. Tuning an instrument, making the string looser or tighter which causes the velocity to change, and when the velocity changes the frequency also changes and this is what causes people to hear the sound at a different pitches.

//Example:// Lightly touching the highest string of a cello halfway down its length (at a node) while bowing produces the same pitch as doing the same 1/3 of the way down its second highest string.

by Nicole Melfi, Sunil Pragji