Urgent! Harmonics and physics help!?

Question

I don't understand this at all!
Can someone explain harmonics of a guitar?

Here is the first part of a problem I have for homework:

A high E string is 65 cm, and its frequency is 330Hz. When the first fret is pressed, the E becomes an F at 350Hz. What is the distance between to the fret?

Answer 1

The natural resonant frequency of a vibrating string is inversly proportional to its length. (It also depends on the tension and cross-sectional density ☺)

So, for this problem
65/(65-x) = 350/330

You do the arithmetic ☺


Doug

Answer 2

Hi. Any instrument usually has harmonics. This is what gives them a rich tone. The frequency you mention and the second fret frequency are a ratio. But they do not involve a harmonic. Touching the second fret changes the frequency by 20 Hz. At this point it is just math. 65(cm) is to 330(Hz) as x is to 350(Hz).