Examination of the static and dynamic forces at the termination of a bowed string

Abstract

In bowed-string instruments, the force exerted by the string on the bridge may be used for analyzing the excitation process. This force is caused by the vibration of the string due to the musician's bowing action. The dynamic component of this force has been investigated in the relevant literature. In this study, focusing on a monochord, an approach is proposed to simultaneously measure both the static and the dynamic components of the force exerted by the string on a rigid support. The use of a robotic arm to excite the string via a linear bowing action permits to measure this force under controlled excitation conditions. The static and dynamic components of the force are analyzed in the transverse plane to the string at several moments of the bow stroke, as well as for selected bowing positions and bow velocities.