Guitar multiphonics: Overview of an ongoing research

The technique of guitar multiphonics gives rise to sounds with colours that are quite distinct from those of sounds produced through traditional techniques, being easier to perceive multiple pitches therein. Aiming to advance research on the tone colour of the guitar, to further promote it and to establish multiphonics as core part of the guitar vocabulary, a thorough and innovative scientific investigation is being conducted on this unconventional playing technique.

This talk will show how the research’s past, current and future work narrows the gaps found in the existing literature. The work includes an experiment with guitarists, spectral analysis of the sounds, sound characterisation and categorisation, musical composition and dissemination activities for various kinds of audiences.