String pitch depends on mass per unit length, length, and tension

Evidence

All stringed instruments consist of one or more strings stretched between two points, and the f0 produced by the string is dependent on its mass per unit length, length and tension. For any practical musical instrument, the mass per unit length of an individual string is constant, and changes are made to the tension and/or the length to enable different notes to be played. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1069

Categorization

• DEFINE: Establishes the founding physical relationship (f0 from mass/length/tension) that all later string behavior derives from.
• corroborated: 4 independent passages support this claim — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1069
• XREF: connects to: Resonator pitch scales with gas speed, volume, neck geometry; String length ratios explain musical intervals since Pythagoras; Pythagoras established the inverse relation between pitch and string length — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 96 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• String stiffness raises component mode frequencies above the harmonic series, creating inharmonicity #expands (0.85)
• Pipe length sets pitch while diameter and material shape harmonic strength #qualifies (0.82)
• Vocal pitch is controlled through fold tension and vibrating mass #corroborates (0.80)
• String and wind instruments share modifier physics but differ in wave motion type #qualifies (0.72)