An analysis of violin sound spectra with different shoulder rests
Fagner Magrinelli Rocha · ThinkTech (Texas Tech University) · 2016
The purpose of this research was to identify possible traces of shoulder rest use on the sound of the violin. Shoulder rests have become very popular among violinists and their use has brought up debates and discussions about its possible effects on tone production. This research was done by analyzing Fourier sound spectra produced by three different violins while using different shoulder rests. The study found that the addition of a shoulder rest affected the balance and amplitude of the overtones that compose sustained tones on the studied violins, thus altering the timbre of the instrument.