Vibrations in Guitar Strings

Vibrating strings on a base electric guitar. When plucked, the string vibrates at a specific frequency, which determines the pitch of the note. The vertical lines on the fretboard of the guitar mark where fingers should be placed to shorten or lengthen the vibrating part of the string. Shortening the string produces a note with a higher pitch, lengthening it lowers the note. The image was collected with a digital camera with a fast rolling shutter.

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Filename: K17strings-on-base-7.jpg
Copyright: Ted Kinsman / Science Source Inc.
Image Size: 3264x2448 / 3.4MB; acoustics frequency mechanics motion musical instrument note oscillate oscillatory vibrate wave close-up fret board finger board fretboard fingerboard guitar mechanics music musical instrument physical physics playing sound string vibrating vibration wave waves standing waves
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Vibrating strings on a base electric guitar. When plucked, the string vibrates at a specific frequency, which determines the pitch of the note. The vertical lines on the fretboard of the guitar mark where fingers should be placed to shorten or lengthen the vibrating part of the string. Shortening the string produces a note with a higher pitch, lengthening it lowers the note. The image was collected with a digital camera with a fast rolling shutter.