Long string instrument
Encyclopedia
The long string instrument is an instrument where the string is of such a length that the fundamental transverse wave
is below what we can hear as a tone (±20 Hz). If the tension and the length result in sounds with such a frequency the tone becomes a beating frequency ranging from a short reverb (approx 5-10 meters) to longer echo sounds (longer than 10 meter). Besides the beating frequency, the string also gives higher pitched natural overtone
s. Since the length is that long this has an effect on the attack tone. The attack tone 'shoots' through the string in a longitudinal wave
and generates the typical science fiction laser gun sound (shooting sound), similar like is happening in upper electricity cables for trains (which are ready made long string instruments in a way).
A known example of a long instrument is invented by the American composer Ellen Fullman
, is tuned in just intonation
and played by walking along the length of its approximately 100 90-foot-long strings and rubbing them with rosin
ed hands and producing longitudinal vibrations
. A C-clamp
is used on each string for putting tension on the strings, much like a guitar
capo
, and a resonator is placed on the end the musician faces. The Long String Instrument's range is centered on the octave of middle C and extends above and below this by an octave. The strings of the bass octave extend the instrument's full 90 feet.
has been bowing and recording the music of fence
s worldwide. Paul Panhuysen
made large sound installation
s with groups of long strings. George Smits
built long string instruments acoustically amplified with styrofoam
. Also Yuri Landman
built a portable electric 25 meter long string instrument called the Landmine.
Transverse wave
A transverse wave is a moving wave that consists of oscillations occurring perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer...
is below what we can hear as a tone (±20 Hz). If the tension and the length result in sounds with such a frequency the tone becomes a beating frequency ranging from a short reverb (approx 5-10 meters) to longer echo sounds (longer than 10 meter). Besides the beating frequency, the string also gives higher pitched natural overtone
Overtone
An overtone is any frequency higher than the fundamental frequency of a sound. The fundamental and the overtones together are called partials. Harmonics are partials whose frequencies are whole number multiples of the fundamental These overlapping terms are variously used when discussing the...
s. Since the length is that long this has an effect on the attack tone. The attack tone 'shoots' through the string in a longitudinal wave
Longitudinal wave
Longitudinal waves, as known as "l-waves", are waves that have the same direction of vibration as their direction of travel, which means that the movement of the medium is in the same direction as or the opposite direction to the motion of the wave. Mechanical longitudinal waves have been also...
and generates the typical science fiction laser gun sound (shooting sound), similar like is happening in upper electricity cables for trains (which are ready made long string instruments in a way).
A known example of a long instrument is invented by the American composer Ellen Fullman
Ellen Fullman
Ellen Fullman is a composer, instrument builder, and performer. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area...
, is tuned in just intonation
Just intonation
In music, just intonation is any musical tuning in which the frequencies of notes are related by ratios of small whole numbers. Any interval tuned in this way is called a just interval. The two notes in any just interval are members of the same harmonic series...
and played by walking along the length of its approximately 100 90-foot-long strings and rubbing them with rosin
Rosin
.Rosin, also called colophony or Greek pitch , is a solid form of resin obtained from pines and some other plants, mostly conifers, produced by heating fresh liquid resin to vaporize the volatile liquid terpene components. It is semi-transparent and varies in color from yellow to black...
ed hands and producing longitudinal vibrations
Longitudinal wave
Longitudinal waves, as known as "l-waves", are waves that have the same direction of vibration as their direction of travel, which means that the movement of the medium is in the same direction as or the opposite direction to the motion of the wave. Mechanical longitudinal waves have been also...
. A C-clamp
C-clamp
A C-clamp is a type of clamp device typically used to hold a wood or metal workpiece, and are often used in, but are not limited to, carpentry and welding...
is used on each string for putting tension on the strings, much like a guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
capo
Capo
A capo is a device used on the neck of a stringed instrument to shorten the playable length of the strings, hence raising the pitch. It is frequently used on guitars, mandolins, and banjos. G.B...
, and a resonator is placed on the end the musician faces. The Long String Instrument's range is centered on the octave of middle C and extends above and below this by an octave. The strings of the bass octave extend the instrument's full 90 feet.
History
Fullman is not the only person who has built long string instruments. Since 1983, in addition to his work on and about the violin, Jon RoseJon Rose
Jon Rose is an Australian violinist born in the UK in 1951. Rose began playing violin at age 7 after winning a music scholarship to King's School in Rochester. For over 35 years, Rose has been at the sharp end of new, improvised, and experimental music and media...
has been bowing and recording the music of fence
Fence
A fence is a freestanding structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary. It is generally distinguished from a wall by the lightness of its construction: a wall is usually restricted to such barriers made from solid brick or concrete, blocking vision as well as passage .Fences...
s worldwide. Paul Panhuysen
Paul Panhuysen
Paul Panhuysen is a Dutch composer, visual and sound artist. He founded and directed Het Apollohuis, an art space that functioned during the 80's and 90's having artists doing sound installations, sound sculptures, and concerts about free improvisation, experimental music, and electronic...
made large sound installation
Sound installation
Sound installation is an intermedia and time based art form. It is an expansion of an art installation in the sense that it includes the sound element and therefore the time element...
s with groups of long strings. George Smits
George Smits
George Smits , aka Toet, was a Belgian visual artist, experimental musician and inventor of experimental musical instruments....
built long string instruments acoustically amplified with styrofoam
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company for closed-cell currently made for thermal insulation and craft applications. In 1941, researchers in Dow's Chemical Physics Lab found a way to make foamed polystyrene...
. Also Yuri Landman
Yuri Landman
Yuri Landman is a Dutch experimental luthier who has made several experimental electric string instruments for a list of artists including Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, Liars, Jad Fair of Half Japanese and Liam Finn...
built a portable electric 25 meter long string instrument called the Landmine.
External links
- Ellen Fullman's Long String Instrument Photographs from the Flanders Festival, Brussels, Belgium, 2003