Build a Band
For this project, we were assigned to create a band using multiple instruments. The three types of instruments reqiured were a wind isntrument, a percussion instrument, and a string instrument. These instrument had to be tuned, and must be able to play a scale. For our project, we decided to created a slidewhistle, a set of drums, and a ukulele. My personal task was to create the slidewhistle.
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Drums
For any chime or percussion instrument it all depends on the material useds natural frequency. For our instrument we went with a set of drums. When we made the drums, we cut a long piece of black PVC into smaller sizes everytime getting smaller (roughly a 1.5 inch difference between one size to the next). In doing this the note would gradually get lower as the PVC got longer. In the case of the highest note we decided to go with a thinner pipe since we couldn't get any smaller and after some trial and error we found the perfect length to get the last note on our “scale”. We added thin metal sheets that we cut in circles to attach the top with glue for a tight fit. This way, when the drum gets striked, it will vibrate through the bottom of the drum and make vibrations to make sound. Our goal was to make an average scale but it is a little off (We had trouble with tuning with the type of instrument that it was).
Slidewhistle
There are two components that allow the slide whistle to function as intended; the mouthpiece and the slider. The mouthpiece creates sound by splitting air. As you blow into it, a wedge splits that air flow in half, one that goes outside of the instrument, and one that reaches in. This splitting of air results in turbulence, which in return causes the air wave used to create sound. The pitch of a slide whistle is done using the slider. What makes a slide whistle unique, compared to other woodwind instruments, is the wavelength of a note is divided by 8 to get the correct pitch. Unlike other woodwinds, when air goes through the whistle, it bounces back off the end of the slider, doubling the length of the wave. The slider shortens or elongates the body, changing the pitch of the note.
Ukelele
When creating our string instrument there were some things that we had to put into consideration how the instrument really worked. We decided to make a ukulele/guitar. First we knew that we would need to make a body that would amplify the sound and strings that we could adjust in length and tension so we could change the note. A string instrument works by having strings vibrate at a certain frequency, which creates sound waves. We began by making the body, neck and head or the ukulele separately rather than attaching them together. The body is made of 2 pear shaped pieces of “wood” with siding made of plastic. A 2.25 inch circle was cut in the middle of one of the faces of the body we attached the siding and supports on the inside. When making the neck and head we looked at real ukuleles and guitars for reference. The wood that we used is pretty thin and lightweight which made it vibrate when the string was plucked which allowed the sound from the string to be louder.
Content
Frequency
Frequency is the number of vibrations, or waves, per second. Frequency is measured in hertz, and is calculated used the formula f=v/λ. Notes in music are measured in frequencies.
Wavelength
Wavelength is the distance from one crest to another (or compression to compression in longitudinal waves). Wavelength is measured in meters, and is calculated using the formula v/f. In our instruments, we had to use the wave length of each note in order to calculate the length of our instrument.
Wave Speed
Wave speed is how fast a wave travels (the velocity). Wave speed is measured in meters per second, and is calculated using the formula v=λf.
Amplitude
Amplitude is the distance from the midpoint to the maximum of the wave. Amplitude is measured in meters, and is proportional to the intensity of the wave.
Transverse Waves
Transverse waves are waves that have its particle line of movement directly perpendicular to the direction of the energy transfer.
Longitudinal Waves
Longitudinal waves are waves that have its particle movement in the same direction as the energy transfer. These particles compress and rarefy, creating the wave.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequencies that electromagnetic radiation can emit.
Ionizing/Non-Ionizing Waves
Ionizing waves are waves with a small enough wavelength to interfere with the molecular levels. Non-ionizing waves are not small enough to interact with atoms. Ionizing-waves are dangerous to skin, as they can interfere with DNA, causing a cell to become cancerous.
Reflection
In this project, I excelled with critical thinking. While making this project, I problem solved all the issues that arose with my slide whistle, whether that be friction issues, or tuning dilemmas. Additionally, I would also show aspects of being a conscientious learner. I set goals for everything I would finish per day, and show initiative with completing my slide whistle.
Although I performed to the best of my ability in this project, I struggled with communication and collaboration. Throughout the project, I would be in my own whole, focused on making my own instrument. Because of this, I had issues communicating my process with making the slidewhistle with my teammates, in order to write out the explanation document. I wish I also collaborating more with creating each instrument, rather than assigning each person an instrument to create. In the future, I want to express my concepts present in my project on a clear and effective manner, perhaps with the help of models or examples. Additionally, I will work more with my other teammates in a group, using teamwork to finish everything in the project.