Reconstruction of bowing point friction force in a bowed string

A method is presented for reconstructing the friction force and the velocit y at the bowing point of a string excited by a rosined bow sliding transver se to the string. Two versions of the method of reconstruction are presente d, each approximate in different ways, but both capable of sufficient accur acy to allow useful application to problems of understanding frictional int eractions in this dynamical system. The method is illustrated with simulate d data to verify its accuracy, and results are shown for two contrasting ca ses of observed stick-slip string motion. As has been found in other invest igations, the friction force during sliding is not determined by the instan taneous sliding speed. The results seem to be compatible with a thermally b ased model of rosin friction. (C) 2000 Acoustical Society of America. [S000 1-4956(00)01507-1].