Hard to answer that without going into the details of string acoustics, however there is plenty on the web (and some good books) that cover the subject. Here is my humble simplification-
. Any even, well made string will vibrate at several frequencies at one time when excited. This is why different material strings sound differently when tuned to the same note - the strings are producing roughly the same set of frequencies but in different amounts which makes them have different timbre. . This set of frequencies is usually a "harmonic series" based on the fundamental vibration of the string (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_series_(music)). The harmonic series of a sympathetic string tuned to c includes the notes c, c' (octave of c), g', c'', e'' g'', etc. . This means that a sympathetic string tuned to c can sound when excited by a tone at any of those frequencies. . The power of a harmonic usually drops off as the frequency goes up, so you may not be able to hear some of the higher harmonics. . Thinner strings resonate at higher harmonics more easily than thick strings. To answer your question, this means that two strings tuned an octave apart will resonate at slightly different notes. I imagine that the tuning of other harmonics is chosen in order to fill in the set of other possible resonances. Because of this you don't need a string for every note, assuming that you have selected your sympathetic tuning to match your instruments key. -Hope that helps more than it confuses! --Norm From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Augusto de Ornellas Abreu Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 6:38 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [HG-new] Tuning sympathetics What is the point of having sympathetic strings tuned to a same note, but on different octaves? Won't they vibrate sympathetically the same way?? Isn't this how they are supposed to work, why tuning them to different octaves? On Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 12:27 AM, Rob <[email protected]> wrote: Hi! This is from Mel Dorries (sent to me off list): "We do rather like sympathetic strings around here for the fullness of tone and overtone they introduce to an instrument. We set ours up on the Maestro to accent the most common notes like g, d, c, a, b flat, e flat with a sat least 2 -3 strings for g, d, and c in different octives. Much is personal preferance and accomodation to the key one wants to play in primarily." PEACE! Rob Cherwink mail: [email protected] home: http://robertcherwink.com blogs: whats up nuclear blog > http://rceezwhatsup.blogspot.com what it is photo blog > http://rceezwhatitis.blogspot.com whats more art & studies blog > http://rceezwhatzmore.blogspot.com/ what next news & random blog > http://rceezwhatnext.blogspot.com/ youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/robertcherwink facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1213823206 twitter: http://twitter.com/r_cherwink On Feb 8, 2012, at 4:24 PM, Felicia Dale wrote: Thank you all for your very helpful suggestions! I really appreciate all the input and I look forward to try tuning my sympathetics this evening. Felicia. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. 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