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Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Dendrochronological Dating and Provenancing of String Instruments
Published on: October 6, 2022
The acoustics of the violin: a review
1Cambridge University Engineering Department, Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.
Abstract:
To understand the design and function of the violin requires investigation of a range of scientific questions. This paper presents a review: the relevant physics covers the nonlinear vibration of a bowed string, the vibration of the instrument body, and the consequent sound radiation. Questions of discrimination and preference by listeners and players require additional studies using the techniques of experimental psychology, and these are also touched on in the paper. To address the concerns of players and makers of instruments requires study of the interaction of all these factors, coming together in the concept of 'playability' of an instrument.
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