PEGS 6 :: StringQuest

The force that is in effect at the point where there is contact between surfaces is called friction. Friction is the force created by the resistance to motion. Friction is a force, but not quite like the fundamental forces, such as gravity, that you learned about earlier.

There are different types of friction that apply to many aspects of string playing. Peg will be describing how friction makes the pegs stay in place. In scientific terms, this specific type of friction is called Static Friction. Static in this case means, without any motion.

The pegs must remain static in order to withstand the pull on the string while it is being tuned to a higher pitch and then preventing it from loosening, once it is at pitch. Without proper friction, pegs will not work! Q called earlier and said he needs my assistance. I have to go now. Peg has more to teach you. Pay attention!

Thanks again, Droll. Oops, excuse me, I meant to say Scroll. You have filled our heads with more thrilling information!

Over the course of a thousand years, use of trial and error has resulted in the standard peg set-up that we use today.

In order to complete learning about the pegs and how the strings stay in place, please follow me to the next page where we will take a look at some pictures that show you all that you need to know.