Resonance placement differences explain each string instrument’s characteristic tone

Evidence

Thus there is more acoustic support for the lower notes of the violin than for those of the viola or the double bass, and the varying distribution of these two resonances between the instruments of the string family is part of the acoustic reason why each member of the family has its own characteristic sound. — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 1153

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to instrument design and acoustic resonance concepts — pairs with the ‘What I’m making music with’ knowledge base entries on instrument acoustics. — connects to: Air and tap resonances align with open-string fundamentals that differ across instrument sizes — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 1151; Body resonances aligned to open-string fundamentals give each string instrument its timbre — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1126