An experimental approach for comparing the influence of cello string type on bowed attack response

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of string properties on bowed string attack playability. To assess the attack playability of different string types, a variety of bow forces and bow accelerations were chosen to excite the strings and measure the transient response under different bowing control parameters. The experimentally obtained playability maps of transient duration as function of bow force and acceleration (Guettler diagram) were obtained with a robotic bowing machine, from four different types of cello G2 strings. Results indicate variations in playability across string types, suggesting that string properties impact attack duration.