Document Type

Research

Abstract

The research which has been previously directed toward the analysis of the timbre of the violin has not, to the best of my knowledge, ever objectively considered the dynamic character of the violin tone. A complete description of the timbre of the violin can never be attained until, in addition to the extant method of clang analysis, qualitative and quantitative statements are forthcoming regarding the timbre variations which are functionally based upon the tone-production factors inherent in violin playing. These factors to which I refer are essentially: (1) bow direction; (2) point at which string is activated; (3) method of activation; (4) method of stopping the string; (5) choice of string to be used for production of a given frequency; (6) breadth of bow-hair surface in contact with the string; (7) intensity variations induced principally by variations in pressure exerted upon the string. This paper is confined to a discussion of the factor first mentioned above, namely, variation in timbre as a function of the change in direction of the bow.

Publication Date

1934

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

Issue

First Page

263

Last Page

264

Copyright

Language

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Small, Arnold M. (1934) "An Analysis of the Functional Timbre Variations of the Violin," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 41(1), 263-264.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol41/iss1/96

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An Analysis of the Functional Timbre Variations of the Violin

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