Low pitched notes associated with large bowing forces

Abstract

For bowing forces greater than the Schelling maximum [J. Shelling, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 53, 26–41 (1973)] there are various periodic motions possible with periods much longer than any natural period of the string [M. E. McIntyre, R. T. Schumacher, and J. Woodhouse, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 74, 1325–1345 (1983)]. Aperiodic motion with a corresponding raucous sound are, however, much more readily produced with a large bowing force. If care is exercised by the player, a repetitive waveform with a nonraucous sound for very large bowing forces can be maintained for as long as several seconds. The resulting pitch that is heard is in agreement with the fundamental frequency of the harmonic series obtained with a frequency analyzer. This is not the small flattening effect with moderately high bowing force analyzed by McIntyre et al. but is a large effect producing pitches typically ranging from a musical 6th to a musical 12th below the normal pitch. Systematic patterns of the measured frequencies as a function of normal string frequencies have been observed and possible interpretations will be presented.