Calculating the frequency of a guitar string oscillations and
evaluating the accuracy of a guitar tuner
1
, Introduction
As a musician, I am interested in the mechanism of work of different musical
instruments to the same extent as looking deeply into properties of their
components. In this investigation properties of guitar strings in a few different
scenarios will be explored. Furthermore, the experience of playing music for a long
time and for different occasions showed me the importance of using a reliable tuner.
The aim of this investigation is to evaluate accuracy of the guitar tuner I use in order
to tune the instrument. It also may be helpful for other musicians using the same
tuner to know to what extent it is accurate or to use this investigation as a template
for their own experiment with another tuner.
Design
Research question
To what extent is the guitar tuner accurate in calculating the frequency of oscillations
of a guitar string?
Background information
Guitar is a musical instrument that makes sounds of different frequency with help of
stretched strings. A string, with rigidly fixed ends, vibrates when touched. The string,
pushing the air, displaces its particles from the starting positions. Thus, from the
particle to the particle surrounding the string, air is brought into an oscillatory state.
In other words, sound waves spread in the air, and we can hear them (Guitar Strings
and Longitudinal Waves, n.d.).
Guitar Tuner is a device that detects and visually represents different pitches to open
strings of guitar (Just How Important Are Guitar Tuners, September 2017). It is
essential for every musician, as a guitar has to be tuned from time to time. An
accurate tuner is what helps them to check and adjust the sound clearness.
A formula, describing the relationship between the frequency of the string’s
oscillations and string length and tension force, was derived by Marin Mersenne. The
2
evaluating the accuracy of a guitar tuner
1
, Introduction
As a musician, I am interested in the mechanism of work of different musical
instruments to the same extent as looking deeply into properties of their
components. In this investigation properties of guitar strings in a few different
scenarios will be explored. Furthermore, the experience of playing music for a long
time and for different occasions showed me the importance of using a reliable tuner.
The aim of this investigation is to evaluate accuracy of the guitar tuner I use in order
to tune the instrument. It also may be helpful for other musicians using the same
tuner to know to what extent it is accurate or to use this investigation as a template
for their own experiment with another tuner.
Design
Research question
To what extent is the guitar tuner accurate in calculating the frequency of oscillations
of a guitar string?
Background information
Guitar is a musical instrument that makes sounds of different frequency with help of
stretched strings. A string, with rigidly fixed ends, vibrates when touched. The string,
pushing the air, displaces its particles from the starting positions. Thus, from the
particle to the particle surrounding the string, air is brought into an oscillatory state.
In other words, sound waves spread in the air, and we can hear them (Guitar Strings
and Longitudinal Waves, n.d.).
Guitar Tuner is a device that detects and visually represents different pitches to open
strings of guitar (Just How Important Are Guitar Tuners, September 2017). It is
essential for every musician, as a guitar has to be tuned from time to time. An
accurate tuner is what helps them to check and adjust the sound clearness.
A formula, describing the relationship between the frequency of the string’s
oscillations and string length and tension force, was derived by Marin Mersenne. The
2
