Three-string inharmonic networks

This paper studies the resonant frequencies of three-string networks by examining the roots of the relevant spectral equation. A collection of scaling laws are established which relate the frequencies to structured changes in the lengths, densities, and tensions of the strings. Asymptotic properties of the system are derived, and several situations where transcritical bifurcations occur are detailed. Numerical optimization is used to solve the inverse problem (where a desired set of frequencies is specified and the parameters of the system are adjusted to best realize the specification). The intrinsic dissonance of the overtones provides an approximate way to measure the inherent inharmonicity of the sound.