Description:
In this project, we were told we had to create four different instruments and each had to have eight different notes. We decided to make a Pan Flute, a Guitar, a Drum, and a Xylophone. We decided to make these instruments because we knew how to make a wind, string, and chime instrument. And we did research to learn how to create the drum.
Pan Flute
Our pan flute was the first instrument we made, and the second we started on. A vibration on a flute is generated when you blow into the flute and air travels through the pipes and is compressed by the quarters that close off the end of the tube. The sound is amplified when you blow more air into the pipe, so that there is more compressed air vibrating and making noise.
Wavelength.
There are 8 separate wavelengths for each of the 8 pipes in the flute. We can find the wavelengths of the instruments by dividing by 4 in accordance to the length of each pipe. But since the wave has to go down the pipe, then bounce off the quarter at the bottom and come back up, it goes up to ½ the length of the pipe.
Pipe Lengths.
The pipe lengths get shorter and shorter for the higher notes. This is because the frequency gets higher when the wavelength is shorter. And the higher the frequency, the higher the note.
Frequency.
As said before, the frequency is higher in the shorter pipes. To find the frequency, we would divide the amount of time between two waves. The frequency for the shorter pipes is higher.
Amplification.
We were able to amplify the pan flute by adding quarters to the bottom of the pipes to not let air escape out the bottom of the instrument. We let the sound bounce back up and pipe and have all the sound directed.
Blueprint.
Note
Frequency
Wavelength
Pipe Length (cm)
B4
493.88
69.85
8.7
C5
523.25
65.93
8.2
D5
587.33
58.74
7.3
E5
659.25
52.33
6.5
F5
698.46
49.39
6.2
G5
783.99
44.01
5.5
A5
880.00
39.20
4.9
B5
987.77
34.93
4.4
Drum
Our drum was the first instrument we started and the second to be finished. The sound is created when you hit the side of the drum with your hand, which causes the drum to vibrate and ring through the hollow part in the center of the drum. This sound is amplified when you hit the drum harder which causes more vibration.
Wavelength
We can’t truly find the wavelength, since we don’t have a proper note. But on the higher pitched parts of the drum, we know the wavelength is shorter.
Frequency
Just like the wavelength, we can’t truly find the frequency, but we know it goes up when and wavelength goes down, and vice versa. On the lower pitched parts of the drum, the frequency is also lower.
Amplification
We are able to amplify the sound of the drum by closing off the walls of the drum, and only leaving only cracked
For this instrument the notes are different. Since it is an echo rather than a note you can hold, there isn’t actually a defined note. But the pitch on each hole and side of the drum is either higher or lower than any other pitch. We have 9 different pitches that are able to be made on each side.
The sound is affected by the thickness, and largeness of the wood. All of the sides are the same pitch, but different thickness. The holes though, are all different thicknesses and sizes, so they make 4 more newly pitched sounds.
Xylophone
The xylophone was our third instrument that we completed. The vibrations are made when you hit the wood with the drumstick. These vibrations make sound waves that travel through the air and go into your ears. Since the blocks are on strings, it allows the vibration to continue rather than be stopped if it were on top of a hard surface. We made the xylophone by measuring and cutting wood blocks to the right lengths so they would make the correct sound. We hung the wood blocks on fishing wire and separated them by putting some duct tape in between them. The sound changes by how thick the wood is and by how long the wood is.
Wavelength
The blocks with a longer length have lower wavelength, and vice versa for the shorter lengths.
Chime length- Our chimes are 7 ¼ inches, 6 ½ inches, 6 ¼ inches, 6 inches, 5 ¾ inches, 5 ¼ inches, 5 inches, and 4 ¾ inches
Frequency
The frequency is higher in the shorter blocks, so it produces a higher sound. The frequency on the longer blocks is lower, and the notes are also lower.
On the shorter blocks, the frequency is higher, and vice versa for the low blocks.
Note
Frequency
Wavelength
Block Length
E2
82.41hz
18cm
18cm
F2
87.31hz
16.97cm
16.97cm
G2
98.00hz
16.1cm
16.1cm
A2
110.00hz
15.59cm
15.59cm
B3
123.47hz
14.7cm
14.7cm
C3
130.81hz
13.94cm
13.94cm
D3
146.83hz
13.15cm
13.15cm
E3
164.81hz
12.73cm
12.73cm
Guitar
Our guitar was our final instrument to be made and completed. Vibrations are made when you strum the strings and let them vibrate through the center, holed portion of the guitar. You can also pluck an individual string, so that the string vibrates and creates sound. This sound changes by string length, thickness, and tension. Most guitars have strings, but ours is a smaller model, more like Ukelele from size and shape, and can only has four strings, with a smaller length than that of a guitar.
Wavelength
String Length- The length our guitar strings go, from the top screw to the bottom screw, is roughly 17.5 inches, as blueprinted.
Frequency
We know that the higher you hold on the string, the lower the note because the wavelength is longer. This means the frequency is lower. A longer wavelength means a lower note. If you hold lower on the string, the note will be higher, which means the frequency is higher.
String Tension
We had to make sure the strings were tight so you would be able to make a note.
String thickness- All of our strings have the same thickness. Even though most guitars have strings of various thicknesses to create a greater variety of notes and make a guitar strumming have a more whole sound. We didn’t have enough string available for that, so we made our guitar strings of the same thickness. Through testing, and changing the string tension for each string, we were able to find enough notes for a complete scale and have a working strum.
Blueprint
Picture
Note
Frequency
Wavelength
A4
440.00
78.41
B4
493.88
69.85
C5
523.25
65.93
D5
587.33
58.74
E5
659.25
52.33
F5
698.46
49.39
G5
783.99
44.01
A5
880.00
39.20
Reflection:
In this project I worked hard on making instruments. My main role was to cut things out and make sure everything was the right size. My work ethic and attitude for this project was good. My work ethic was good because I helped work on all of the instruments and did them in a good time. My attitude was good because I never got down when we were a little bit behind everyone else. Somethings I could work on is my critical thinking and communication. I could work on my critical thinking because if I had contributed more ideas then our instruments could have been a lot better. I could work on my communication because I did not communicate well with my team.