Physics of a Guitar String | Science Minisode

The motion and sound of a guitar string can be explained with some basic wave physics. It won't take long, so let's see how much we can cram into one Science Minisode.
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[@ScienceofLoud]

The motion and sound of a guitar string can be explained with some basic wave physics. It won't take long, so let's see how much we can cram into one Science Minizode. Gain access to exclusive content at: www.patreon.com/csguitars Target Mids available now: csguitars.co.uk/target-mids Buy CSGuitars Merchandise: csguitars.bigcartel.com/

[@nathangaspar4989]

CSGuitars you just described the overtone series, good job.

[@jacktowers7533]

CSGuitars Colin you need to get a lab coat that has your logo and "all the gain!" Embroidered on it

[@joshuavovk3788]

Yay Math! Also, why do you say "maths"? It's harder to say than "math", or even "mathematics", due to the "ths" sound.

[@jacktowers7533]

Joshua Vovk if Colin doesn't answer allow me, people in the British isles and the commonwealth (like myself in Australia) are by and large raised saying maths instead of math, simple as that

[@joshuavovk3788]

@@jacktowers7533 I know, but why is that when it's easier to not use the "ths" sound. I'm trying to get to the root of the "ths". Why would anyone think, "Hey, how do we shorten 'Mathematics' and still make it hard to say, and thus continue to make mathematics the most underappreciated subject in school?" Ye get my point? Still: yay math and hail to nerds!

[@adamtaylor2142]

As a guitar player and a math/engineering nerd, I request more videos like this. Thanks Colin!

[@XxS4NN4SxX]

Oh please I need more of this.

[@markhammer643]

Thanks for this. Too many guitar players never stop to think much about the physics of the string, and how it can impact on their tone. Much comes from considering the physics of the string. For instance, one of the reasons why fanned-fretboards have become mainstream in recent years is because we understand more about how scale length impacts on string compliance, and how string compliance affects harmonic content. Going in the other direction, anyone who has ever used an analog octave-up or octave down unit will know that both behave much better above the 7th fret, or higher. Why? Because the shorter the string length, the stiffer the string, the less compliant, and the more the fundamental dominates over the harmonics, making it easier to identify the note pitch and reliably generate the derived octave up or down. The physics also pertains to the string as a body-set-in-motion. We too often think of it like it was a steady-state oscillator, but much like ourselves, it is dying from the moment it is plucked/picked. That includes not only overall decaying amplitude, but also the disappearance of various harmonics as the string comes to rest. The manner in which the various harmonics are damped over time, by the bridge (e.g., floating wooden vs Tele-style) or the very string material itself, plays a role in creating the tone of the guitar, and sometimes even the tone of effects. We overlook the fact that many hard-to-replicate "classic" fuzz tones were produced by studio players wielding big jazz boxes with floating bridges, that coaxed very different sounds out of a fuzz than an SG might, largely by the idiosyncratic manner in which the string decayed, and the signal hitting the fuzz quickly fell below clipping threshold. Finally, there is a reason why a great many guitar synths have/had their pickup snuggled against the bridge. Deriving a unique signal from each string with such a pickup requires that there be no bleedthrough or crosstalk from adjacent strings. And the only dependable way to do that is by sticking the pickup where the strings "wiggle" the least.

[@mboyer68]

Dang I wish we were neighbors. I live outside of Rochester NY, how about you? I'm an engineer and guitar player. We could nerd out.

[@SgtAbramovich]

CSGuitars but it's actually a Numberphile video.

[@asamcqueen3513]

Can you imagine Colin as a guest on a video with Brady?

[@weswheel4834]

Got a picture in my head now of Colin performing a monster guitar solo and the drummer saying, "That's Numberwang!"

[@User-jk8wq]

As an a level physics student, this was incredibly informative and helpful! This channel gets better with ever video!

[@iscdrummer5003]

A.D Fairhurst same here! I do A level physics too!

[@myevilfish]

same here. im trying to figure out my Physics homework!

[@Noel11897]

Basically u twang string and noise comes out?

[@hazrod13]

Yes to all science videos ! don't be afraid to make longer videos if the subject needs it. This is becomming my favourite youtube channel for all the reasons.

[@ScienceofLoud]

Don't worry, there will still be long science videos. There are some topics though that I can rattle out in 3:30 minutes (play time, this still took my days to put together...) and it's a good challenge to keep things condensed. I could do this exact same video in a very hand holding, step by step way that would take about 15 minutes, but I think this quick way is a lot more fun.

[@hazrod13]

@@ScienceofLoud you're right, and short videos are good to help people be more interested in all of this.

[@Andresdha]

As a physicist I love how clear and straightforward this was presented without skipping the maths. Awesome video

[@xflofyx]

calin is also a physicist so he knows this topic

[@Andresdha]

@@xflofyx oh that makes sense! Cool thanks for sharing the info

[@jakethemisanthrope9442]

hell yes that is the way to learn science do more of these videos with more complicated math

[@witeshade]

Nice succinct video, and good explanation. However I think you definitely need a follow-up explaining why string tension and gauge are important for hitting the right notes and not snapping necks.

[@Chiiiivo]

I just finished a music project for one of my math courses discussing this as one of the topics. If only this vid came out sooner it would have saved me a couple of hours of research! 😁

[@Bugkiller666]

Pretty cool!! thanks for explain it in simple words Colin!!

[@Leggendar]

Nice video Colin! Such informations should be known by every guitar (or every other instrument too) player, along with basic maintenance of instruments. Keep going this way! Cheers from Italy

[@NicuMihai]

vibrato of any KEIND! luv yur accent

[@thecharlieramirez]

Mate, you're something of a guitar scientist. Love the content. Cheers!

[@radiojet1429]

Thanks, Colin. I'm continually impressed with your explanations and presentations. Concise, accurate, useful. Science is real - for all of you out there who doubt that :-)

[@Gabriele..]

it's a mini episode but with great value, good work Colin!

[@lancista91]

Where were you 8 years ago when I had to learn simple harmonic motion? That's a great, simple, real world example. Cheers mate!

[@CostasCTS]

Words cannot describe how much I loved this video, as a fan of both music and physics! Thanks Colin :)

[@barbasbandas6665]

Awesome! Now calculate the integral of the function F(x,y)=2log(arctg(1-x)/x^2)/e^sen(2*pi*fc*t) dt LOVE U Colin

[@georgekasiouras]

This is probably one of the very few channels on KZbin that talks about things like this and that's why I love it. In fact, I'm sure that at least one video here can't be found anywhere else on KZbin right now. Do you have anything on how guitar cabinets work/shape the sound of the amp? Most certainly sounds like an interesting topic.

[@ScienceofLoud]

A video on speaker cabinets is on the list, slowly gathering together some research material to write the script.

[@bpabustan]

If there is something that is mind boggling yet very very clear - this is it!

[@reddwarf1999]

I absolutely love learning through your videos Colin

[@famitory]

the integer harmonic thing isn't as universal as mathematicians would have you believe. while it applies solidly to air chambers and strings, there are plenty of musical instruments that sound nice, but are not composed of mostly integer harmonics. marimbas, xylophones, and glockenspiels are all governed by the vibrating bar equation, where the stiffness and thickness of the material causes the overtone series to be "stretched" sharp, or "dampened" flat. this effect is known as Inharmonicity. you can actually hear this effect in strings too, if the gauges, tension, and scale length are of a strange combination.

[@famitory]

generally speaking, the thicker the string under the same tension and at the same length, the greater the inharmonicity (i'm not sure if it's flat inharm or sharp inharm, can't find anything on the internet) which is why bass guitars are longer than guitars. if you want to experiment with inharmonicity, put some real fat strings on a les paul and play up by the 14th fret.

[@incyder]

@@famitory Strictly speaking, a thicker string would require more tension to achieve the same harmonic at the same fret if length is constant. Bass instruments are longer because they produce lower octives than guitars. The longer wavelengths require more neck to produce the same frequency of the harmonics..

[@kirabarsmith9353]

I love the super slow motion shot of the string vibrating, never seen that before.

[@jacobstracener4702]

You know, just the other day I was watching a video you posted and I thought “man, a year ago I had no idea what this guy was talking about but now I get it! I’ve learned so much!” I’m now going to retract that statement, this is above my level

[@ScienceofLoud]

Give it another year, you'll get there. Thanks for the support.

[@mk_rexx]

Many of my subscriptions are about science or music, and I'm happy that a good number of those channels do both before I knew it.

[@IceGene]

I love these nerdy videos. i hurt my brain but it's the good kind of hurt hahaha

[@gurjeetsing4160]

My thinking also goes in logical way, I am getting more interest in Music while reading and practising the Science of Music in my daily life❤❤❤

[@2n3chordjams70]

My head just exploded but KOOL that you know and understand all that!

[@t3mpestw879]

I love you bro, You saved my physics 11 CPT. God bless you

[@MEGABL0CKS]

this is 1st guitar lesson i watched. ill have to write it down but im super curious! AWESOME VIDEO

[@doris4469]

More like a physics lesson

[@Lavabug]

I'm a physicist and I think this is a wonderful explanation for the layman. Well done

[@ThrashingBasskill]

Damn, Adam Neely, you got long hair! Good for you! :D

[@sirforcer]

Thanks for helping me study for my physics exam!

[@ashtonbrown81]

What even is there anything you don't know about Colin! these vids are freakig brilliant!

[@iirazor1086]

Man this is freaking awesome

[@jenlong-ji9hi]

This is fascinating! I will be sharing your link with my physical science students. I know several are interested and would like to do some exploring on their own. Thank you for making it interesting and applicable!!!

[@FlorianGuitar85]

I failed all my math exams during school because I'd rather play guitar, because guitar is magic. You just turned the magic into maths. You killed the magic. Unsubbed. Damn you, Scotsman!

[@ScienceofLoud]

Everything is maths, that's the real magic.

[@markfuller6464]

Jeez. My brain just melted!!

[@adammays3128]

These videos are why I love CSGuitars

[@balshankar6140]

Can't thank you enough.. You helped big time

[@EivindS94]

Oh man I want more of this! This is the exact reason why I subscribed

[@peteredie9108]

Oh I really hope this turns into a series, nice work! Just thought i should point out the clip at 0:48 of the string vibrating is a little misleading as thats just a camera artifact and not at all how a string really moves in slow motion, the string will move in a more"jump rope" fashion than a "snake", with the exeption of harmonics as you pointed out which will be shaped like a snake but for example the 12th harmonic would be a snake with two humps.

[@ScienceofLoud]

Looks cool though, but yes it's an illusion resulting from messing around with the shutter speed.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Love it!

[@NACHTEULE13X]

Always getting mindblown from your videos, love your videos.

[@roboreilly8151]

Great explanation!

[@GuitarQuackery]

I really enjoyed this one.

[@Pauly421]

I can't believe I've played for 15 years and never knew this shit lol. Nice video bro, need more of this pls. Sub'd

[@gyrospace2]

Great lesson dude.

[@asamcqueen3513]

As a bass player, and a recreational physicist, this video makes me happy.

[@omegaflameZ]

Brilliant explanation, only wish you could have dug into the frequency spectrum for a wee bit more depth, admittedly with bringing up the idea of a Fourier transform you might need another Minizode...

[@SabbaYT]

I needed this.

[@jonathanfarmer5458]

Colin! Use the metal zone in the efx loop of amps with no tubes like your Marshall mg and your orang micro dark!!

[@jonathanwapner6262]

In Scotland, Hz is the abbreviation for hairtz.

[@angelocatapang6054]

what a smart scottish chap,lad.

[@silverdragon0000120]

Wow I’m learning so much 😊

[@samsuperslick]

I am in love with this genius Scottish man

[@MrCElk]

Excellent Colin!

[@DTPoe]

Now I need a bucket for all the brain matter oozing from my ear. Thanks.

[@SynMusique]

I can't but says that's a lot of hairs(hertz). 🤣 Great video as always.

[@Mr.Goldbar]

I'll drop out of high school just to learn more useful maths from you

[@scotttaylor5928]

Great video, I have to make my own physics lab for school and I’m trying to think of what I can do

[@rottalmusik6563]

Love this stuff😍

[@DavidMFChapman]

Good job!

[@UncleRJ]

Is it possible to make another scientific view on strings? I was invested in this video quite more than the others.

[@ScienceofLoud]

Lots more to come. This was the introduction to get the simple ground work laid down.

[@xflofyx]

we NEED a CS science chancel for fucks sake, i need to see caling teaching quantum mechanics

[@toastyyy2458]

Physics class: i don't get anything Colin: i understand everything

[@bohonye]

pls make a subtitle, cause you use very much music-sleng words (whammy-bar; etc...) and these words are not in the auto-subtitle. GREAT video! I am a physics teacher and rock-guitarist, too, from Hungary.

[@MrJumboblimpjumbo]

Concise video! It would be cool to see you explain why different instruments have different timbres...

[@ScienceofLoud]

Easily done now that this video has explained the basics.

[@mandipkaur8510]

Very nice

[@luvlog5480]

Can we have any vibration mode on a guitar string? And what about the modes that we've learnt in our last experiment? Can we have a resonance related to any wavelength value for a fixed L (height of the tube)?

[@zeoalexo]

Hey, I was wondering if you could a video on the history of Superstrats

[@jimstiles5278]

Your discussion of the simple math of string frequencies was good. However you left out the discussion of string stiffness. Apparently stiffness is a major contributor to the need for intonation - if my understanding is correct (?) perfectly flexible strings would not require any intonation (still working on undertstanding this). Bottom line - I'm looking for more flexible electric guitar strings to play around with. Any suggestions? I'm thinking about multi-strand cores with thin wrapping as one approach. Or maybe loose, low-carbon iron bits and aramid fibers embedded in nylon. Have you ever heard of such things?

[@DrMackSplackem]

Excellent video. It would be great if you followed up with explaining harmonic stretching in regards to string gauges plus scale length (or, why are pianos are so hard to tune).

[@DragonFlopp]

Thank you for this video! I think about this stuff every single second of the day to make sure I keep up on my skills. (heavy sarcasm)

[@brendan95delany]

All this math is making my brain Hertz!

[@tristanpaxton51]

I'm so glad you made this! Can you do the same for pickups and speakers? Please!

[@nicwilson89]

Getting pretty buff there :p

[@federicogerli]

Interesting!

[@justinniederhauser1543]

I got into tuning pianos and one problem I encountered was that I can’t tune the strings perfectly in tune, because when harmonies Are played, new frequencies propagate which sound off-key. Why is guitar different? On piano, I have to actually detune certain intervals or “stretch tune” to allow sound waves room to harmonize when played. I know it sounds confusing, but do guitars have to be intonated this way? Also why do so many guitar players never notice they have a string or two out of tune LOL. I don’t even use tuners anymore, because they make everything sound flat. Why are there not tuners with different intonation preferences?

[@antmax]

Looks like your trying to dethrone Johnny Ball in the science education stakes lol. If you don't know who I mean check out the 70's early 80's kids science show "Think of a Number" used to love that when I was a kid. Might be just before your time, plenty of episodes on KZbin and still interesting and fun today.

[@Yinte_Klop_Blunt666]

This arouses mr. Kevin very much

[@mboyer68]

Hairdrdrtz. Hertz. Thank you for the physics lesson Shrek! Shrek only in accent:)

[@fractalnomics]

3:00 Does this (not vibrating at one frequency) demonstrate equipartition (shared vibration over all modes)?

[@brotendo]

Shout out to all my math and science major pals out there. I miss university when life was easy and I didn’t have so many damn bills to pay. But at least I’ve got money now for... strings. I don’t have to wait every semester to change strings anymore! Haha.

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

Colin love all your vids, absolutely. This was an excellent explanation of how math makes the guitar and strings work harmoniously. But what brought me here was the word: Minizode. With all due respect I musta missed the explanation, WTF is a minizode

[@christopherwillcock-irving8538]

You tricked me into doing maths by disguising it as guitar!

[@Grav2995]

As someone with a degree in Physics and Mathematics, I think this was a great video. Very concise and easy to understand. I think it might have been better to also perhaps connect these frequencies to the pitch itself as to make a stronger connection between the physics and the music. i.e. If a string's first harmonic is 440 Hz, so the n=2 order is 880 and so on, all of which are A, but in a more complex waveform as stated, but because the harmonics are not perfect due to the nature of the instruments, that is why it is musical. Please keep doing these. -Cheers!

[@ScienceofLoud]

Don't worry, I needed to leave something for the follow up video.

[@Grav2995]

@@ScienceofLoud I see the layout now. I'm excited to see the series progress. I was thinking that you left some of the more interesting bits out, but now I realize it's all part of the plan.

[@shihabrehan7054]

i still don't understand why at some point at a certain frequency does the string stop vibrating like if we say at 11 Hz the string shows only one N but why at 22 Hz does the string show 2 N? why does it stop vibrating at half L

[@ZakuBlk]

This was a super cool lesson. But is there a way to apply this to improve my playing? Seriously

[@boogerrs1031]

dope!!!

[@BM-zv4xz]

Hey Colin, great explanations. Can you explain DI (direct input/inject) box? Thanks!

[@koffieverslaafde627]

Hey colin @CSGuitars I have a question. I was playing guitar today, stopped for a while and turned my amp off etc, started again, and suddenly im not getting any distorion or almost none. It was a metal distorion (with a lot of mids of course, i listen to my favourite guitar youtuber) and now its a clean not even ac/dc distortion and i didnt change anything. Could it be the tubes? Or speaker? Im using an engl thunder 50 combo, a line 6 floor pod plus, and a jackson js22 dinky with iron gear pups. I have no clue what’s wrong and I’m kinda freaking out, what should I do

[@mrkosmos9421]

Awesome! But... What kind of harmonics appear on a guitar?

[@oatmeal710]

i learned more from this video than my high school physics class

[@OmManiPeme]

always after me lucky charms

[@hawk6111]

And hence you disprove tone wood and bring about tone bridges and tone nuts

[@mrdeeman5912]

How does Guage play apart in frequency?