Aliquot stringing

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Aliquot stringing is the use of extra, un-struck

sympathetically
. Aliquot stringing broadens the vibrational energy throughout the instrument, and creates an unusually complex and colorful tone.

The aliquot strings are one octave higher and are therefore shorter.

Etymology

The word aliquot ultimately comes from a Latin word meaning 'some, several'. In mathematics, aliquot means 'an exact part or divisor', reflecting the fact that the length of an aliquot string forms an exact division of the length of longer strings with which it vibrates sympathetically.

History

string resonance also occurs when other notes are played that are harmonically related to the pitch of an aliquot string, though only when the related notes' dampers are raised. Many piano-makers[citation needed] enrich the tone of the piano through sympathetic vibration, but use a different method known as duplex scaling (see piano
). Confusingly, the portions of the strings used in duplex scaling are sometimes called "aliquot strings", and the contact points used in duplex scales are called aliquots. Aliquot stringing and the duplex scale, even if they use "aliquots", are not equivalent.

Because they are tuned an octave above their constituent pitch, true aliquot strings transmit strong vibrations to the soundboard. Duplex scaling, which typically is tuned a double octave or more above the speaking length, does not. And because aliquot strings are so active, they require dampers or they would sustain uncontrollably and muddy the sound. Aliquot stringing broadens the vibrational energy throughout the instrument, and creates an unusually complex and colorful tone. This results from hammers striking their respective three strings, followed by an immediate transfer of energy into their sympathetic strings. The noted piano authority

Larry Fine observes that the Blüthner tone is "refined" and "delicate", particularly "at a low level of volume".[1]
The Blüthner company, however, claims that the effect of aliquot stringing is equally apparent in loud playing.

Tunable aliquots

Theodore Steinway of Steinway & Sons patented tunable aliquots in 1872. Short lengths of non-speaking wire were bridged by an aliquot throughout much of the upper range of the piano, always in locations that caused them to vibrate in conformity with their respective overtones—typically in doubled octaves and twelfths. This enhanced the power and sustain of the instrument's treble. Because it was time-consuming to correctly position each aliquot, Steinway abandoned individual aliquots for continuous cast-metal bars, each comprising an entire section of duplex bridge points. The company trusted that with an accurately templated bridge and carefully located duplex bar, the same result would be achieved with less fuss.[citation needed]

Mason & Hamlin, established in Boston in 1854, continued to use individual aliquots. They felt that the tuning of these short lengths of string was more accurate with an aliquot than what could be attained with a duplex bar. With the fixed points of a duplex bar, small variations in casting or bridge-pin positioning are liable to produce imperfections in the duplex string lengths. Furthermore, since variations in humidity can cause duplex scales to move in pitch more rapidly than the speaking scale, readjustments of aliquot positioning is more feasible than duplex bar re-positioning.[citation needed]

A modern piano manufacture, Fazioli (Sacile, Italy), has blended Steinway's original ideas by creating a stainless-steel track, fixed to the cast-iron plate, on which individual aliquots slide.[citation needed]

Other musical instruments

Makers of other

scale length to enhance the timbre. Examples of such instruments include the viola d'amore, and the sitar
.

Notes

  1. ISBN 1-929145-01-2
    .

External links
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