Racquet/Strings Harmony

[maxpotapov]

You all know how same racquet may feel and sound very different with different strings and tensions.

I think it's a matter of harmony as described here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_acoustics

Racquet/string combinations that feel (and sound) great are the one that are consonant:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consonance_and_dissonance

"In music, a consonance (Latin con-, "with" + sonare, "to sound") is a harmony, chord, or interval considered stable (at rest), as opposed to a dissonance (Latin dis-, "apart" + sonare, "to sound"), which is considered unstable (or temporary, transitional). In more general usage, a consonance is a combination of notes that sound pleasant to most people when played at the same time; dissonance is a combination of notes that sound harsh or unpleasant to most people."

Stable = "solid" in our perception of racquets. And harsh feels as bad as it sounds

Maybe that's why some modern frames feel better with modern "higher frequency" strings, while classic racquets are so well tuned to softer strings.
Of course, string tension and its stability complicates things even further, so finding a perfect setup is almost pure luck.

Or maybe TWU can help us out? It would be interesting to see a research on harmony between racquets and strings

 

[scotus]

All that harmony, consonance, and sound-related stuff goes out the window when you're, as you say, "breaking the sound barrier with [your] forehand."

 

[maxpotapov]

^Haha

10SonicBooms

 

[SpinToWin]

sounds kinda far-fetched to be honest.

 

[maxpotapov]

^Maybe, especially if you use vibration dampener as an equalizer

Anyway, tension is probably the biggest contributing factor here...

 

[wolfinsignia]

i don't think its worth researching, but i am sure it will bring light into physics of tennis.
i don't think there would be much of a game changer to tennis unless humans become bionic and need better equipment.

but as i said, its not going to be a breakthrough of anysort. science is already dealing with flux and dampening motion of strings in a racquet.

although what you probably are looking for is a compatibility chart to be made, so a system of harmonics base of string to racquet sounds interesting. but again something like this won't do because of the error rate in manufacturing as it is and compatability each time for the right setup will be near impossible. but that kind of knowledge wouldn't hurt, although people have opinions it might be a good way to quantitize it for them. it may make choosing strings easier as a whole.

 

[Shroud]

You all know how same racquet may feel and sound very different with different strings and tensions.

I think it's a matter of harmony as described here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_acoustics

Racquet/string combinations that feel (and sound) great are the one that are consonant:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consonance_and_dissonance

"In music, a consonance (Latin con-, "with" + sonare, "to sound") is a harmony, chord, or interval considered stable (at rest), as opposed to a dissonance (Latin dis-, "apart" + sonare, "to sound"), which is considered unstable (or temporary, transitional). In more general usage, a consonance is a combination of notes that sound pleasant to most people when played at the same time; dissonance is a combination of notes that sound harsh or unpleasant to most people."

Stable = "solid" in our perception of racquets. And harsh feels as bad as it sounds

Maybe that's why some modern frames feel better with modern "higher frequency" strings, while classic racquets are so well tuned to softer strings.
Of course, string tension and its stability complicates things even further, so finding a perfect setup is almost pure luck.

Or maybe TWU can help us out? It would be interesting to see a research on harmony between racquets and strings

Racket tune. Partner with them get people to ping their favorite string beds. Record the data: frequency, decay plot, etc

Or just hit ignoring the sonic booms