It is well known that violin plate tuning parameters are controlled by adjustments of mass and stiffness but the link between plate tuning and violin sound quality lags behind in violin research. If violin making is to be improved two important objectives have to be achieved. First, violin sound quality has to be related to objective measurement and second, this measurement has to be brought within the control of the maker during the plate tuning process. This paper will show that violin sound quality is constructed within the harmonic spectrum, that it can be objectified in measurement taken from within the harmonic spectrum, and that specific harmonic relationships can contribute either positively or negatively to sound quality. Then evidence is presented to show how the maker can control plate tuning in ways that accentuate positive and avoid negative harmonics and so improve violin sound quality.
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