STRINGED INSTRUMENTS 



28 5 



produce the high tones are fine, while the long wires which 

 produce the low tones are coarse. The shorter and finer the 

 wire, the higher the pitch of the tone produced. The longer 

 and coarser the wire, the lower the pitch of the tone produced. 

 The constant striking of the hammers against the strings 

 stretches and loosens them and alters their pitch ; for this 



FIG. 179. Piano wires seen from the back. 



reason each string is fastened to a- screw which can be turned 

 so as to tighten the string or to loosen it if necessary. The 

 tuning of the piano is the adjustment of the strings so that 

 each shall produce a tone of the right pitch. When the strings 

 are tightened, the pitch rises ; when the strings are loosened, 

 the pitch falls. 



What has been said of the piano applies as well to the 

 violin, guitar, and mandolin. In the latter instruments the 

 strings are few in number, generally four, as against eighty- 



