This dissertation proposes an interdisciplinary approach for the study of the timbre of the classical guitar. We start by identifying the static; control parameters of timbre, relating to the structural components of the guitar and the dynamic control parameters of timbre, relating to the gestures applied by the performer on the instrument. From the plucked string physical model (obtained from the transverse wave equation), we derive a digital signal interpretation of the plucking effect which is a comb filtering. Then we investigate how subjective characteristics of sound, like timbre, are related to gesture parameters. The starting point for exploration is an inventory of verbal descriptors commonly used by professional musicians to describe the brightness, the colour, the shape and the texture of the sounds they produce on their instruments. An explanation for the voice-like nature of guitar tones is proposed based on the observation that the maxima of the comb-filter-shaped magnitude spectrum of guitar tones are located at frequencies similar to the formant frequencies of a subset of identifiable vowels. These analogies at the spectral level might account for the origin of some timbre descriptors such as open, oval, round, thin, closed, nasal and hollow, that seem to refer to phonetic gestures. In a experiment conducted to confirm these analogies, participants were asked to associate a consonant to the attack and a vowel to the decay of guitar tones. The results of this study support the idea that some perceptual dimensions of the guitar timbre space can be borrowed from phonetics. Finally, we address the problem of the indirect acquisition of instrumental gesture parameters. Pursuing previous research on the estimation of the plucking position from a recording, we propose a new estimation method based on an iterative weighted least-square algorithm, starting from a first approximation derived from a variant of the autocorrelation func

This research into Brazilian music in general, and choro guitar music in particular, focuses primarily on the various and contrasting ways in which the repertoire is interpreted by Brazilian choro musicians, classical guitarists and jazz guitarists. Socio-cultural traditions and conventions are also explored. An important facet of performance in the Brazilian tradition is improvisation. The appropriateness of various improvisational approaches, including those used in jazz, are discussed. The research incorporates two 60-minute recitals, one of traditional Brazilian choro and the other of different Brazilian styles played in a jazz group setting, and these are central to the following exegesis. / Thesis (M.Mus.) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 2008

Detailed discussion of tuning the classical guitar within the context of equal temperament's development. Alternative models for tuning systems are discussed along with accurate and practical guidelines on how to tune the conventional classical guitar using equal temperament.

Detailed discussion of tuning the classical guitar within the context of equal temperament's development. Alternative models for tuning systems are discussed along with accurate and practical guidelines on how to tune the conventional classical guitar using equal temperament.

Thesis (M.M.) -- Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dianne Gregory, Florida State University, School of Music. Title and description from thesis home page (viewed 9-27-04). Document formatted into pages; contains 81 pages. Includes biographical sketch. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Mus)-- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 1982. / Typescript (photocopy).

Thesis--University of California, Los Angeles. / Vita. Concordance of manuscripts, printed sources and transcriptions: v .1, leaf 332-343. Includes bibliographical references (v. 1, leaves 305-330). Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.M.)--University of Florida, 2004. / Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 143 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (M.Mus. (Performing Art))-University of Pretoria, 2005. / Summary in Afrikaans and English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of North Texas, August, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references.