Course:PHYS341/2019/pre-reading/Q8

Self-study for Quiz 8 on March 18th.

1 The internal structure of a bowed instrument in the violin family is deliberately asymmetric because: (one right answer)

	(a) there are no frets on the fingerboard.
	(b) the bridge has a more complicated shape than that of a guitar.
	(c) the player sometimes needs to play more than one string at a time.
	(d) of the stick-slip mechanism of the bowed strings.
	(e) the bow produces a downward force on the bridge.
	(f) the bow produces a sideways force on the bridge.

2 The stick-slip mechanism of the bow can excite a string at precisely the right frequency because (two right answers):

	(a) the bow only grabs the string when it is moving at the same velocity as the string.
	(b) the bow only releases the string when it is moving at the same velocity as the string.
	(c) the bow motion contains all frequencies.
	(d) the bow produces a sideways force on the bridge.
	(e) the bow produces a downward force on the bridge.
	(f) the tiny ridges on the horse hairs pluck the string.

3 The complicated shape of the violin bridge is a result of: (two right answers)

	(a) the style of the Italian Baroque.
	(b) the need to support the tension of the strings.
	(c) the need sometimes to play more than one string at a time.
	(d) the stick-slip mechanism of the bowed strings.
	(e) the desire to boost sound radiation below 2 kHz.
	(f) the desire to boost sound radiation above 2 kHz.

4 A string on a lute-family instrument feels too slack, even when tuned to the right pitch. Which of the following solutions could work? (Two right answers)

	(a) tighten the string.
	(b) replace the string with one of the same diameter but made of a heavier material.
	(c) replace the string with one of the same diameter but made of a lighter material.
	(d) replace the string with one made of same material but thicker.
	(e) replace the string with one made of same material but thinner.

5 Why are higher strings on a piano tuned sharp and lower strings flat (the Railsback Curve)- compared to equal temperament? (One right answer)

	(a) We hear higher notes flatter than they are in reality
	(b) We hear lower notes sharper than they are in reality
	(c) Piano strings have noticeable inharmonicity, which increases the interval between partials. The piano is tuned to minimize beats between these partials.
	(d) Piano keys play double and triple sets of strings.
	(e) It lowers the stress on the piano frame.