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1. The Problem
Let's get started: the factors involved and their relationship:
In our equation we have so many fixed factors, that we end just with a very simple equation: (at a given pitch and string length) gauge=tension*(under squared root and multiplied for a coefficient for gut’s mass).
If we change one of them, the other follows (to maintain the same pitch).
What do we mean by equal feel, equal tension and scaling tension?
There are many factors, in a violin, which interfere with the results of our maths:
2. The Experiment …as they admit also in the treatises, pure math does not work! “If the strings have the same thickness and length and one produces a low note, which is a C, when it is stretched with a weight of 1 pound, the other must be stretched with 4 pounds to make it
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baroque music, double-bass strings, early music, equal tension, gut strings, gut strings history, gut strings maintenance, gut strings manufacture, viol strings, viola da gamba strings, viola strings, violin strings, violoncello strings
How a set of strings was composed: keep it simple! With only 4 “gauges” of pure gut and two gauges of silver wire they could cover all the strings from violin to cello!
Read More5. Conclusions: Be Practical!! So far, you can probably guess my conclusion: If you aim to follow the treatises you shall not give a letteral interpretation but a practical one, and admit that equal feeling, equal tension, and scaled tension, had the same meaning: the aim is always playing on an even instrument. But if we cannot trust
Read More4. Complications! Another thing affecting a lot our pure math is the arching of the bridge: of course low first (and fourth? ) need to be bigger than high third and second. So, scaling tension is required Plucked or bowed instrument: the big string offers more friction under the bow so someone may think a smaller string
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