h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi
Just a thought. Can anyone tell me the technical name for the decorative sound holes that feature on violins/violas/cellos/double basses and some hollow bodied guitars by any chance?
I always think they're quite pretty, but never know what to call them.
Thanks

Kaz.

no idea. also want to know. what's their purpose by the way? are they really only decorative

Me neither, a Google found this:

http://www.centrum.is/hansi/construction/

which is fairly comprehensive but doesn't seem to mention the name either (but I did skim it *very* quickly).

Hmm, further Googling implies they're just called 'F-holes'.

http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~jw/graphics/violin.jpg

Roy is correct they are called F-holes or sound holes, air in the box needs to vibrate to produce the sound required which means that the box needs to expand and contract, the function of the F-hole is to allow the box to do this.

It is called the F-Hole because of the shape basically, by using a curved shape will stop the wood from cracking due to the vibration inside the box.

Some violins do have straight slits and are made of a heavier wood put are not very popular due to the weight.

Oi, you're not meant to know that, you're a drummer!

What do you call a drummer without a girlfriend?

Homeless

......i think

Sorry Roy *slaps my wrist* i will stick to drums only in future, dont mean to be tech bof on music

Oh by the way some drums also have curved cuts in them for the same reason, where amplification via electric output cannot be obtained

I remember the first time I saw those big red curvy things that look like squashed alpine horns. Odd, and very loud.

> "big red curvy things that look like squashed alpine horns"

The Serpent?

Blimey who's been hidden, have we a lurker in here somewhere

Who would lurk in MuG? People are getting yikesed and modded left right and center at the moment. I, of course, blame Thatcher.

And the boogie.

You cant blame Ben Thatcher, he is just a footballer

And you can 'blame it on the boogie' but not the sunshine, moonlight or goodtime

true

And there I was, thinking that those squiggly patterns on the guitar might have a nice musical sounding name. So much for that. Never mind.
Thanks people

Well lets give the F word a name, i will plum for Fiddlestick hole