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<div style="float:rightleft;">[[File:string_resonance.png|300x300px]]</div>
=== Resonance ===
=== String Properties and Pitch ===
<div style="float:leftright;">[[File:string_pitch_factors.png|300x300px]]</div>
''Strings resonate at a certain pitch, depending on the '''thickness, length, and the amount of tension''' applied to the string.'' The thicker and longer the string is and the lower the tension on it, the lower its resonant pitch is, and vice versa. It is important to realize that this simple formula isn't absolute - there are some very nuanced complexities to the physics involved; however, the relationships are good enough to be perceived as completely accurate. For guitar and most instruments, the strings have different thicknesses but relatively the same tension. Thus, the thicker strings have lower pitches than the thinner ones. The even tension makes playing (and especially bending) the strings have a consistent difficulty from one to the next. The primary method of altering pitch is by shortening the string length by pressing the strings against the frets or fingerboard. However, other methods are also used - for instance, in electric guitar a whammy bar or bending technique may be used to reduce or increase string tension. In contrast, the piano matches each of its keys to an independent string of fixed length.
==== Electric ====
<div style="float:leftright;">[[File:electrical_transducer.png|300x300px]]</div>
In '''electric''' instruments, the body serves simply as an anchor. Thus, we see lots of types (and weights) of wood used, as well as body shapes and sizes in electrics. Pickups are used to convert the string resonance into electrical current, which is then sent to an amplifier which drives a speaker. (There are also '''acoustic-electric''' instruments that are essentially acoustic instruments with added pickups.)
=== Methods to Excite Strings ===
''Strings can be excited in a variety of manners.'' For guitar, the strings are typically excited with a '''plectrum (pick)''' or plucked with the right-hand fingers, but can also be slapped or hammered-on. Most classical stringed instruments (violin, viola, bass) are excited with a '''bow''', which rubs horsehair against the strings, although they are sometimes plucked (pizzicato) with fingers. Piano uses '''hammers''' to strike its strings, similar to the technique of slapping, which is common in modern bass. The strings can also be excited by sound waves; examples include yelling at them or '''feedback''' from an amplified speaker connected to the instrument. FinallyWe can also induce resonance by using vibrato, and magnetic strings (as used by electric guitars) can have resonance induced through use electromagnetic force, such as through an EBow or Sustainiac device.
[[Category:Guitar]]