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Abstract
String tone acoustics is a topic that has been largely overlooked in pedagogical settings. This document aims to illuminate the benefits of a general knowledge of practical acoustic science to inform teaching and performance practice. With an emphasis on viola tone production, the document introduces aspects of current physical science and psychoacoustics, combined with established pedagogy to help students and teachers gain a richer and more comprehensive view into aspects of tone production. The document serves as a guide to demonstrate areas where knowledge of the practical science can improve on playing technique and listening skills. The document is divided into three main sections and is framed in a way that is useful for beginning, intermediate, and advanced string students. The first section introduces basic principles of sound, further delving into complex string tone and the mechanism of the violin and viola. The second section focuses on psychoacoustics and how it relates to the interpretation of string sound. The third section covers some of the pedagogical applications of the practical science in performance practice. A sampling of spectral analysis throughout the document demonstrates visually some of the relevant topics. Exercises for informing intonation practices utilizing combination tones are also included.