What are Wolf Tones?

If you’re a musician who plays the cello or double bass, you might have encountered a rather peculiar and unsettling phenomenon known as a "wolf tone." Far from the eerie howling of a nighttime forest, these instrument sounds are acoustic anomalies that can disrupt the beautiful harmony of your instrument.

A wolf tone occurs when the natural vibrations of an instrument clash with the frequency of a played note, resulting in a wavering, choking, creaking, or squeaking sound. This can be extremely frustrating for musicians, especially if it occurs in the middle of a performance.

Reasons for Wolf Tones

There are many factors that can trigger wolf tones, and understanding these causes can help you minimize their impact on your practicing and performance. Here are just a few reasons for wolf tones:

1. Playing Technique and Experience

Sometimes, the way a musician draws their bow across the strings or the grip pressure they apply can bring out the wolf. However, inexperienced musicians can also inadvertently create a wolf with improper bowing or finger placement.

2. String Tension

The tension of the strings on your instrument can significantly affect the presence of wolf tones. Higher string tension can increase the likelihood of a wolf, making it important to find a balance between tension and tone quality.

3. Weather and Climate

Believe it or not, weather conditions can also contribute to wolf tones. Changes in temperature and humidity can alter the resonance of your instrument, potentially causing wolf tones to surface. It's important to monitor these environmental factors and make adjustments as needed.

4. Bow and Rosin

The choice of bow and rosin can impact your instrument's susceptibility to wolf tones. While bow materials and craftsmanship can affect certain tonal elements, poor or older hair and rosin may not grip the strings as efficiently. Experimenting with different bows and rosins can help reduce the occurrence of wolf tones.

5. The Instrument's Construction

The way an instrument is built, including the thickness of its plates, its shape, and the materials used, can influence the presence of wolf tones as well. But even perfectly constructed cellos and double basses can have a wolf.

Is this Cheating?

Now that we've discussed some of the reasons behind wolf tones, you may be wondering if there is a way to eliminate or reduce them. This is where wolf tone eliminators come into play.

A wolf tone eliminator is a specialized accessory designed to help cellists and double bassists combat the frustrating issue of wolf tones. These devices are easy to use and are considered must-have accessories for cellists and musicians who want to produce clean, uninterrupted sounds.

While some purists may question whether using a wolf tone eliminator is "cheating," it's essential to remember that the ultimate goal of playing a musical instrument is to create beautiful music. Wolf tone eliminators simply help by reducing the interference of unwanted sounds.

Need a wolf tone eliminator for Cello? Johnson String Instrument has a great selection to keep the howling at bay!