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    Whuffle's Avatar
    Whuffle Posts: 19, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 12, 2005, 10:09 AM
    vibrating string.. which direction?
    I am familiar with the basic theory of sound.. pressure waves produced by a vibrating object...

    But when one plucks a string to produce sound (a guitar, for example) does the string only vibrate in one axis, or two?

    What I mean is.. you pluck a string from one side to the other.. I assume that it then vibrates side to side also. But does it also vibrate up and down as a side effect? And if so, is this undesirable?
    Amb_Tovan's Avatar
    Amb_Tovan Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #2

    Sep 24, 2005, 03:52 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Whuffle
    I am familiar with the basic theory of sound.. pressure waves produced by a vibrating object...

    but when one plucks a string to produce sound (a guitar, for example) does the string only vibrate in one axis, or two?

    what i mean is.. you pluck a string from one side to the other.. I assume that it then vibrates side to side also. But does it also vibrate up and down as a side effect? and if so, is this undesirable?
    I think only minor up and down vibration occurs, this is undesirable, because if it vibrates up and down, it's going to change the length of the strings and if you change the length you're going to change its fundamental frequency in which changing the harmonics as well. This normally happens in any string instrument, violin, guiltar, cello but it is minor. Do you ever go to a classical concert and you see the conductors "tuning" the instruments, its because of that vibration that instruments needs to be tuned. Also you see why strings must be properly supported and pinned down.

    LOl funny thought, wavey violin strings that vibrates at all axis LOL
    bmuth's Avatar
    bmuth Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Nov 30, 2005, 08:33 PM
    Side-to-side-ness
    It'll go in different directions than you plucked because there's always a little "english" on the pluck. It's physically possible to srtike a string and only have it vibrate on one axis, but not likely to happen.
    Tension on the string will reduce it's willingness to go "in all directions".
    As long as the string vibrates unobstructed, tuning can't be affected by vibrating the "other way"-the string can't get longer or shorter (it's only as long as it is)-and it doesn't care which direction it's bouncing in!
    An extreme plucking could cause a circular occilation (easier with low tension) which would cause some fun harmonics.
    -bmuth
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