Fundamentals

[Larry J. Messerly]

Yes Virginia, there is a fundamental and it does make a sound, but it is
very faint.

I like to show this off to some of my customers as an example of why
octaves need to be streched, and how the string produces a variety of
tones.

Take A0 damper off the string without sounding the string.  cover your
finger with a handkercheif or other protectice cloth and press down 1/2
to 1 inch at the center of the string release quickly and listen to the
sound.  It is there but very very faint.

Next. do the same thing with the diference that after you have released
the string, touch it lightly about an inch from the agraffe and hear the
volume jump up as the harmonics are generated.  Great fun.

Larry Messerly, RPT