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Nadam Musical Instrument Blog #1

Posted by Nailah Adam in Physics - Echols on

​Here is the link to the video 
It is played by hitting the metal plates with the mallet. The notes are different based off the length of the metal plates. It is shaped like a piano. It makes me think I can cut different sizes of metal plates to create the different notes. I can conclude that the waves produced are caused by the vibrations. The vibrations determine the sound. 

Emyftaraj Musical instrument blog #2

Posted by Elona Myftaraj in Physics - Echols on

I said in the last blog that I was making a guitar however I decided to change my instrument since. Instead I will be making a xylophone. Reading up and researching the xylophone I found that like other instruments you have to be careful building for it is simple mistakes that can ruin the melody. I found that in building a xylophone all of the keys are different sizes and each one plays a different note, this is somethingI thought to be very helpful for someone that doesn't play an instrument. I also found that it can be built from various materials, including wood, plastic bottles with different amounts of water and metal, this also made it easier to get the supplies. I also found that this instrument can play majority of the major notes needed to perform our song. 



Screen shot 2011-06-05 at 3.20.57 PM
Screen shot 2011-06-05 at 3.20.57 PM

DJackson Musical Instrument Blog #2

Posted by Delesha Jackson in Physics - Echols on

My instruments produces sound by plucking the strings or running a bow over the different strings. The vibrations of the strings create waves and out of them sound comes out. The pitch is changing with the thickness of the string and the lengths of the strings. Also the pitch changes when you tighten the strings from the top.
I will use wood and have something to use to model the shape of my instrument. I will need wire for the strings and nails to help with the tuning of the strings. I will also need horse hair so I can use it for the bow.

TJ Nicolella: Musical Instrument Blog #2

Posted by Anonymous in Physics - Echols on

​As previously stated, my musical instrument of choice for the “Science Rockers” project is an acoustic guitar. I am not exactly sure how I’m going to construct it but I have a general idea based on what I saw when inspecting the other guitar that a student made last year. I’m going to need wood for the bridge, actual guitar strings of different lengths to represent different notes as well as a hollow box of some sort to resonate the sound when the strings are plucked. (ex. cigar/tissue box)

As we get more in depth when learning about waves I can more easily understand how a guitar works when those different strings are strummed. I have found that when the strings are strummed, and vibrating they help move around the rest of the instrument. Part of the vibrations from the strings reverberates through the back of the instrument and through the empty cavity of the guitar, called the sound box. These vibrations will escape through the sound hole that is on the body of the guitar. So most of the sound comes from the strings but the body of the guitar helps to resonate those sounds/vibrations and pushes them out of the sound hole that is located underneath the portion of the strings that the player strums.

The thing that changes the pitch when the guitar is played is the different sized strings. Each string varies in width, with the top of the bridge containing the thickest string and the bottom containing the thinnest. Also, at the top of the bridge there are prongs that can tighten up or loosen the tension of the strings, which also alters the sound, or tunes the guitar. I have a general idea of what I will use to construct my guitar but I am still wondering if the sound of the guitar will be loud enough and/or how I will be able to make it loud because, unlike a real acoustic guitar, mine is bound to have holes or cracks other than the required sound hole that allow the sound to escape or trail off which makes it harder to hear.

Emma Hersh: Musical Instrument Blog #2

Posted by Emma Hersh in Physics - Echols on

What I decided to do is make two didgeridoos and play them together to make kind of a slide thing. One of the didgeridoos on the outside and a smaller one on the inside so I could change pitch as it's needed in our song. 

The easiest and most efficient way to make a didgeridoo is by using PVC pipes and finding the appropriate size and design and then making it look pretty. :) 

Musical Instrument - Blog post #2

Posted by Alissa DiBartolomeo in Physics - Echols on

When you stroke the bow across the string it vibrates and causes the violin to make sound. When you play a different string it changes the pitch. When you also place your fingers on different spots on the string you wish to change the pitch on, it changes the note, which also changes the pitch. I think I am going to use wood but I am not sure yet. I will play my instrument using a bow. My plan is to just take my time and not to rush so I don't mess up building it. My outstanding questions are is there any material that we can't use?

Musical Instrument Blog #1

Posted by Jason Davis in Physics - Echols on

In this benchmark, I am interested in designing a flute to perform my song with. I decided this because I thought for my strengths, it would be the most sensible instrument to build, considering I’m fairly good at measuring and the mathematics needed to apply to making a flute, and it requires the least amount of materials to make.
Producing sound in a flute mainly depends on the size of the diameter of the wholes in the flute. To change sound a note, you have to cover other wholes with your fingers, and use the uncovered holes to make alternating sounds and notes. A flute is a cylinder shaped object that uses wind to manipulate its sound. This can connect to other wind instruments as well as brass instruments, as the are designed in a similar way.

Musical Instrument Blog #2

Posted by Natasha Ashby in Physics - Echols on

Uku- Who?

​ukulele

Instrument - String
Originated - Portugal
Has four strings and guitar shaped body
Family- Chordophone
The sound is produced by plucking and strumming the strings. The strings then vibrate and are amplified by the resonating body.
Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/ukulele#ixzz1NuZ6owte

In order to tune the instrument, i plan on having an electric tuner, in which when you pluck the string, the tuner is able to tell you the note. The thickness of each string has an effect on the pitch.
To build a Ukulele, I plan on using a small box as that base, like a tissue box, or cigar box or shoe box, but WOODEN. I'd also need wood for the neck, bridge, fingerboard, saddle and nut, and braces.

ukulele
ukulele

Musical Instrument Blog #1

Posted by Natasha Ashby in Physics - Echols on

Uku-Who?
ukulele
The Ukulele is played similar to how a guitar is played. It can be strummed or picked. There are 4 notes on a Ukulele.
In order to play the C chord, you take you ring finger, place it on the bottom string and strum.
Screen shot 2011-05-31 at 2.54.58 AM
To play A minor, you take your middle finger and place it on the top chord, and remove your ring finger, then strum.
Screen shot 2011-05-31 at 2.54.44 AM

To play F, you take your first finger and play it on the second string, the one right above C.Screen shot 2011-05-31 at 2.54.21 AM

To play G7, you bring the middle finger down, place it on the string right below the top one, then place you ring finger back on C.
Screen shot 2011-05-31 at 2.54.05 AM

All the notes are being played within the first three frats. It is shaped just like a guitar but incredibly smaller. This makes me think that your hands are very powerful tools and even moving it the slightest can change the way an instrument will sound.
If I have a hollow enough base, I'll be able to produce enough waves to make a louder sound.

PHYS-003

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2010-11.S2

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