By Michelle Frid, Eliza Roesler, Tara Shotz, and Marilynn Hunt
The requirement for this project was to create three different types of instruments: a wind, a chime, and a string instrument. My group created a bottle instrument, a xylophone, and a guitar. We also made a drum set for fun.
Concepts
*Waves transfer energy*
wavelength (λ)- distance from crest to crest of a wave wave speed (v)- rate at which a wave travels frequency (f)- number of waves or vibrations in a unit of time λ=v/f period (T)- time between waves or vibrations; time for one wavelength to pass T=1/f transverse wave- can travel through a vacuum, moves perpendicular to their direction of travel (Ex. light, electromagnetic spectrum) longitudinal wave- requires a medium, moves parallel to their direction of travel (Ex. sound) adaptability- the ability to change things in order to work better for a certain purpose or situation |
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Overview
This project was different and I liked that about it. We made musical instruments and had to play a song with them. This project went along with our unit on waves. We learned that sound is a longitudinal wave and needs a medium. The first thing we did after we got this assignment was brainstorm different ideas for instruments. We needed to create a wind, chime, and string instrument. Our group decided to create bottles(wind), a xylophone(chime), a guitar(string), and a drum set for fun.
We each chose one instrument to be our main responsibility. I was in charge of making the xylophone. This project took us a few weeks. We all worked hard and collaborated our ideas when something went wrong. I think that the guitar was the hardest instrument to build. It had the most problems and was much more complicated than the other instruments. (Below is the process of making each instrument and why it works.)
We each chose one instrument to be our main responsibility. I was in charge of making the xylophone. This project took us a few weeks. We all worked hard and collaborated our ideas when something went wrong. I think that the guitar was the hardest instrument to build. It had the most problems and was much more complicated than the other instruments. (Below is the process of making each instrument and why it works.)
Xylophone
Our xylophone is a chime instrument. The longer the pipe is, the lower the note is. We made our xylophone by finding a pre-cut piece of pipe and hitting it with a mallet to see what note it makes. From there we used a chart that told you what numbers to multiply the original length with to create different notes. Our original pipe, the longest one, was 33 centimeters long and an E4. We decided to make our xylophone have one octave of notes. The highest note is E5 at 23.43 centimeters. All of the other pipes are varying in lengths that are between 33 and 23.43 centimeters, but the higher the note is, the shorter the pipe length. The reason why shorter pipes make higher pitched sounds is because there is less time for the sound wave to travel through the pipe. The wave lengths are compressed, which creates a higher pitched sound. That means that the longer the pipe, the more spread out and longer the soundwave will be. If the wave lengths are more compressed, they vibrate faster. The more time they have to rarefy, the slower the waves vibrate.
Guitar
Our guitar uses vibrations and tensions to play a 12 note scale. Our guitar classifies as a string instrument and plays a total of 12 notes. It ranges from an F3 to a C4. To reach these notes we have included 4 strings, each having an open note, and two frets to play. Each fret plays one note higher than the last. We tuned the open string by tightening screws that keep the strings in place. We then used the guess and check method with a tuner to place the frets. To find the lengths of the open strings, we used the provided wavelength chart and calculated the length of the longest string. We then just placed blocks of wood on the other open strings to shorten them, and played with the tensions using a tuner. The vibration resonating through the large, wooden box makes the sound louder and the sound waves from plucking of the strings becomes audible. When the string is shorter or tenser, you get a higher not, and when it is longer or looser, you get a lower note.When the string is tight and short the vibration is small and vibrates in a smaller proximity, producing a higher note. When the string is long and loose, the vibration is large and wide, producing a lower note.
Bottles
The bottles use sound waves, vibrations, and different frequencies to create sound waves, which create notes. Our bottles are classified as wind instruments. For all wind instruments, it is essential to create vibrations. The vibration can be from friction (example: reed in a clarinet), or from splitting air (example: flute). In the case of our instrument, we are splitting the air. Half of the air goes over the bottle and the other half goes into the bottle. This creates each bottle’s unique sound (along with the amount of water/fluid in it). The vibrations created must travel through some kind of tube to actually create a certain note. To find how long the tube must be in order to create a certain note, you take the wavelength of the note and divide it by four. Wind instruments require ¼ th of the original wavelength to create the certain note. To complete one full sound wavelength, the wave must travel from high pressure, to equilibrium, to low pressure, then back up to equilibrium. A wind instrument only uses one fourth of the complete wavelength to create notes. The high pressure is created at the top of the bottle (where you blow into it) and the neutral pressure is where the sound waves exit. If a note has a wavelength of 131.87 cm (middle C), then in a wind instrument the wavelength must be 32.97 cm. This means that the pipe must be 32.97 cm long in order to create that note (can place a hole at same distance for same effect). The bottles we used play notes that range from a C4 to a C5. Our group decided to change the notes by adding different amounts of water into each bottle. The more water that was in the bottle, the higher the note. This is the result of the sound waves vibrating. The bigger the bottle/space provided, the longer it will take for the pressure inside to build up (vibrate) which results in longer frequencies, causing deeper notes. As you add in water, the sound waves’ space becomes restricted and they will start to move faster causing a higher frequency. This results in higher notes.
Drum Set
Our drums are a vibration instrument, but we did them a little differently. We started out trying to make them like the steel reggae-style drums like the ones in “Under the Sea”, but we had some trouble. We tried to use a cupcake tin to make the note range and were trying to modify the note by hammering it so it would produce a lower or higher sound. This did not work out, and each part sounded like the same metal bang. We also couldn't really get a good read on what note it was making with that metal bang. We decided since we had 3 other instruments that this one would be sort of a background beat, much like a simple drum set with a pot lid as a cymbal, a garbage can as one of the big drums, and a metal platter tray as a sort of snare. We also have two drumsticks made out of wooden dowels and another wooden dowel with a paper towel and duct tape tip on the end for the big drum (it makes a different sound).
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Reflection
This project was a lot of fun! I had a good group and we all got along really well. That was a flaw and a strength. I had a feeling we might not be the most productive and I was right. We finished everything on time, but talked a lot and wasted time. Our song was Under the Sea from Ariel, so we liked to listen to the music video. We made up for the lost time by coming in at lunch. The good part was that we flowed well together and communicated our ideas and opinions clearly. I think over all the good outweighed the bad.
A few things I learned during this project was how to share the leadership role and to take directions better. It was nice to have a group of all leaders. Most times a group with that type of dynamics doesn't work out. Everyone argues and fights for control. It worked out nicely for our group because each person chose one instrument to be in charge of. We all shared the responsibilities of creating the instruments, but the person who designed it had final say. I really liked this situation. We each got to have a leader and follower role. An example of this was each of us was in charge of how one instrument was built.
I really hope that we do a similar project next year because I had a ton of fun and loved my group. It was fun to jam out with our instruments after we made them. This is one of my favorite projects so far. It really showed me a different prospective on group work and different types of group dynamics.
A few things I learned during this project was how to share the leadership role and to take directions better. It was nice to have a group of all leaders. Most times a group with that type of dynamics doesn't work out. Everyone argues and fights for control. It worked out nicely for our group because each person chose one instrument to be in charge of. We all shared the responsibilities of creating the instruments, but the person who designed it had final say. I really liked this situation. We each got to have a leader and follower role. An example of this was each of us was in charge of how one instrument was built.
I really hope that we do a similar project next year because I had a ton of fun and loved my group. It was fun to jam out with our instruments after we made them. This is one of my favorite projects so far. It really showed me a different prospective on group work and different types of group dynamics.