A resonant violin bridge presents an impedance minimum, unlike wind instruments

Evidence

Let’s back up a bit and see how this might work. First, we need to decide whether the string force acting on the bridge rocking motion should operate in a flute-like manner—at an impedance minimum—or in a trumpet-like way—at an impedance maximum. The force on the bridge that matters most is perpendicular to the strings, a rocking motion of the bridge. A bowed string exerts a certain periodic force, and the bridge plus violin top plate respond with a rocking motion. The top of the bridge oscillates to and fro. On resonance, the velocities reached by this rocking motion will be higher under a sinusoidal sideways force (mimicking a component of the string drive). So on resonance, the bridge presents an impedance minimum: it is flute-like. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 1772

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains impedance minimum vs. maximum and applies the flute/trumpet taxonomy to the violin bridge.