University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

0000-0002-5410-4724

0009-0003-0813-9031

Lampis, Alessio

Chatziioannou, Vasileios

Scavone, Gary

2025-12-02T09:29:46Z

2025-12-02T09:29:46Z

2025

This study experimentally assesses the influence of cello string types on playability and tonal characteristics using a robotic bowing device and a custom monochord setup. Eight custom-made G2 cello strings, each defined by unique combinations of core materials, windings, and nominal tensions, were systematically tested. High-resolution Schelleng diagrams were constructed from steady-state signals across various bow forces, bow-bridge distances, and bow speeds. Analyses included bow force limits, spectral centroid, pitch flattening, and anomalous low frequencies. Results revealed similar regions of Helmholtz motion, with deviations from Schelleng's classical theory aligning with recent research. Pitch flattening occurred mainly at high bow forces and lower bow speeds, with deviations up to 60 cents below nominal pitch, while spectral centroid analysis highlighted a significant correlation between bending stiffness and perceived tonal brightness. Minimal within-type variability was noted; however, tonal deviations due to string settling were substantial, underscoring the importance of play-in periods. Although playability differences across tension groups were minor, tonal descriptors, notably spectral centroid, displayed clearer sensitivity to material composition. Future studies should explore broader string variations and detailed harmonic content to enhance statistical robustness and generalizability. This research was funded in whole or in part by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) [P34852-N].

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Made available in DSpace on 2025-12-02T09:29:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 035013_1_2.0002111.pdf: 5048565 bytes, checksum: b180c8deea68a186c301e542d09d1632 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2025

Alessio Lampis, Vasileios Chatziioannou, Gary Scavone; Experimental analysis of cello string types: influence on playability and tonal characteristics using Schelleng diagrams. Proc. Mtgs. Acoust. 24 May 2025; 58 (1): 035013. https://doi.org/10.1121/2.0002111

10.1121/2.0002111

https://dspace.mdw.ac.at/handle/123456789/23414

en

Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics

CC-BY-4.0

Acoustics

Musical instruments

Robotics

Flexural rigidity

Experimental analysis of cello string types: influence on playability and tonal characteristics using Schelleng diagrams

text::journal::journal article

Publication

2025-12-02T09:29:46.141Z

false

yes

NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN - Mathematik

NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN - Physik, Astronomie

TECHNISCHE WISSENSCHAFTEN - Elektrotechnik, Elektronik, Informationstechnik

10

80

10

035013

58

University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

McGill University