Electronic violin gets you into the groove

摘要

The sound of a violin bow across strings can be exquisite. But bowing well is hard to master. Now that smooth grace is encapsulated in a new kind of electronic instrument. Developed by Dylan Menzies at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK, the O-Bow uses optical sensors to track the movement of a real violin bow across a groove in a metal instrument. The sensor detects the bow's angle and speed to drive the production of digital music in a connected computer. Notes are created using a separate keyboard.The instrument's body is a smooth copper cylinder and the groove holding the sensors is shaped to ensure that the bow doesn't skid off. It is easier to play than a real violin because the musician does not have to moderate the downward pressure of the bow onto the string, one of the trickiest elements of playing a violin.