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Frets - Mister Beagle - 06-22-2007 10:43 AM
Hello all, it's Mister Beagle!! Back with an all-new topic!!
Why, on stringed instruments, do the frets (or positions for non-fretted stringed instruments) get closer together as you go up the fingerboard?
ex.
![[Image: 79075.jpg]](http://www.presenceofmind.net/79075.jpg)
Frets - coca - 06-22-2007 11:08 AM
Physics...less space is required for the string to vibrate at a different frequency
Try holding a piece of elastic between your fingers, as it lengthens you will notice changes in the frequency it makes when you strike it, but as you go along, the frequency is less distinguishable for the same amount of space...
That is, when it is short, lengthening it by 2cm will make a noticeable change in frequency, but when it is long you won't really notice the change, so a longer length is required to have the same frequency shift
Like, if there was an elastic string with tension on it, striking it would cause it to vibrate at a certain frequency. If it is nice and tight, lengthening it by 2cm might cause a frequency shift of say a semitone, but if it is not that tight then lengthening by 2cm might not change it so much, so maybe 3cm will be required for the same shift
Or something, can't be bothered Googling :b
Frets - Sveach - 06-22-2007 12:45 PM
Yeah what he said. I was going to guess something about arm length and it being easier to pluck the string, etc....but his answer is better:D
Frets - piratebuddha - 06-23-2007 01:16 AM
coca,Jun 21 2007, 08:08 PM Wrote:Physics...less space is required for the string to vibrate at a different frequencyI concur
Try holding a piece of elastic between your fingers, as it lengthens you will notice changes in the frequency it makes when you strike it, but as you go along, the frequency is less distinguishable for the same amount of space...
That is, when it is short, lengthening it by 2cm will make a noticeable change in frequency, but when it is long you won't really notice the change, so a longer length is required to have the same frequency shift
Like, if there was an elastic string with tension on it, striking it would cause it to vibrate at a certain frequency. If it is nice and tight, lengthening it by 2cm might cause a frequency shift of say a semitone, but if it is not that tight then lengthening by 2cm might not change it so much, so maybe 3cm will be required for the same shift
Or something, can't be bothered Googling :b
/saved me the trouble
//play a string instrument without frets, ya pansy