Wireless Sensor System for Measurement of Violin Bowing Parameters

We present a new system to measure the position and force parameters most relevant to violin bowing technique. It is stable and reliable, and as it allows players to perform without impediment and consists of minimal equipment, it is also suitable for use in professional performance settings. This measurement system, implemented on a carbon fiber bow, relies on an electromagnetic field sensing technique for detecting both transverse bow position and bow-bridge distance and foil strain gauges for downward force measurement. The position data is collected using an antenna that is located behind the bridge and mounted from the tailpiece of an acoustic violin. The strain gauges are permanently mounted around the midpoint of the bow stick, and the force data is collected and sent to a remote computer via a wireless transmitter mounted at the frog. The resultant bow remains wireless, and the placement of the sensors and electronics ensures a balance point that remains within the normal range for traditional bows. We describe several experiments illustrating the usefulness of this system for continued studies of bowing parameters, as well as inspection of musical performance style and pedagogical applications.