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Bridge acoustics: the invisible bridge

2025-08-08T08:43:00

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Is it possible to simulate the effects of bridge adjustment in a computer? Physicist Jim Woodhouse presents the results of a series of experiments to demonstrate the possibilities

Back in the summer of 2024, a small group of physicists and violin makers gathered in Cambridge for a concerted effort to learn something new about the scope and limitations of bridge adjustment on the violin. Measurements were made, bridges were fitted and tweaked, there was a lot of playing and listening – and plenty of talking. The study was instigated by Joseph Curtin, who has a track record of interest in bridge tuning…

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