Acoustical features of complex bowing patterns in violin performance
Matthias Demoucron, Erwin Schoonderwaldt, Marc Leman · Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) · 2013
Music performance relies on fine motor skills and subtle judgements of the resulting sound in order to adjust body movements involved in playing. In this respect, fast repetitive bowing patterns in which notes are alternatively played on two adjacent strings offer an interesting case study of subtle coordination of bow movements. In recent experiments, it was shown that a particular timing relation between bow velocity and string crossing was preferred in both real performance and perceptual tests, the bow change occurring consistently after the string crossing. The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify acoustical features on which violinists may base this preference. For that purpose, we performed simulations over a wide range of coordination parameters. The results of perceptual tests were examined under the light of the simulations in order to determine significant acoustical features and the acceptance limits associated with them.