Build a Band
For this project we had to construct three instruments that we able to create the notes A,B,C,D,E,F, and G. Each of the instruments had to be either a string instrument like a guitar, a wind instrument like a flute, or percussion like a drum. Our group decided to make a guitar for our strings instrument. We made the guitar with pine wood has the base pieces and wrapped metal sheeting around the sides. Then we made a flute for our wind instrument. The flute was made out of PVC pipe. For our third instrument we created a PVC pipe drum.
To start the building process we first had to learn how these instruments created their sounds. We learned about wavelength, amplitude, frequency, period, velocity and how we can measure it. We also learned about how we hear music, and why each instrument works. Once we researched and learned, we did an experiment with a slinky. We figured out that a slinky is similar to a longitudinal wave or sound wave. This is because it moves the same way and the farther the wave moves away from the source the smaller it gets. This helped us because it made us realize that we needed to increase the amplitude to get the correct loudness. With this knowledge we started building our instruments. Below is an explanation of all our instruments, how they work and what they look like.
Concepts
Wave: A wiggle in space and time
Wavelength: The length of the wave, the distance from crest to crest. It is measured in meters
Amplitude: The distance from the mid-point to the crest (trough) of the wave, or displacement of equilibrium. It is measured in meters.
Frequency: How many waves are created/passes in a certain unit of time. Its equation to find it is waves/s, and it is measured in Hertz.
Period: Amount of time between waves/vibrations. Its equation to find it is T=1/F and it is measured in seconds.
Velocity: The rate of covered distance in a direction. Its equation to find it is V= d/t and it is measured in meters per second.
Wave Speed: It is the velocity of a wave. Its equation to find it is v=λf, and it is measured in m/s.
Why do we hear music? We hear music because our ears are able to process the vibrations and waves the music produces.
How do string instruments work? String instruments works by the vibrations the string produces when plucked. (Ex. guitar and harp)
How do chime instruments work? Chime instrument work because when they are struck, vibrations are sent throughout the length of the tubes producing sound waves. (Ex. xylophone and pipe drum)
How do wind instruments work? Wind instruments work by blowing air into it. The holes are then covered and the vibrations that cause the sound wave become faster, making a high note.(ex. flute and trumpet)
Traverse wave: motion at right angles to the direction in which a wave travels.
Longitudinal wave: when particles move along the direction the wave is moving
Doppler Effect: Apparent change in frequency due to motion of the source of sound.
Destructive interference - when the crest of one wave overlaps with the crest of another wave, increasing the amplitude
Constructive interference -overlapping waves where the crests of one wave fill the troughs of the other, decreasing amplitude. Perfect destructive interference would result in no wave.
This project was a bit boring for me. I love music but I learned I really do not like learning about. However, the overall group and building went petty smoothly. We worked great together, all contributing more than one thing to the project, whether it was ideas or actual skill with the instruments. We all tried to evenly distribute the work between us. We also were good at making rash decisions or compromises to make them easier or to actually finish. The thing we struggled with most was communication. Sometimes people and at times I didn’t know what was happening or what to do.
For our string instrument we decided to make a 6 string guitar instead of a 4 string guitar because we all did not communicate what we wanted it to be. Also we sometimes did not understand how the instrument worked until after we did it.
The thing I did better on was my leadership skills. I took control of bad or stressful situations and tried find compromises or solve it. I didn’t cower back in fear of a tedious altercation or obstacle. I will still try to work on my leadership skills because they are not perfect yet. I think I am scared of leadership because I am scared of being blame if something goes wrong.
For our string instrument we decided to make a 6 string guitar instead of a 4 string guitar because we all did not communicate what we wanted it to be. Also we sometimes did not understand how the instrument worked until after we did it.
The thing I did better on was my leadership skills. I took control of bad or stressful situations and tried find compromises or solve it. I didn’t cower back in fear of a tedious altercation or obstacle. I will still try to work on my leadership skills because they are not perfect yet. I think I am scared of leadership because I am scared of being blame if something goes wrong.