Build a Band

What is the Build a Band Project? The build a band project is a project where your group of three of four(mine was four) builds their own instruments in order to make a "band." Each person creates their own wind, string, chime, or percussion instrument.

Process:

In the beginning of planning out our project, my group members, Declan, Nino, and Bella, and I chose what instruments we were going to build. At first, we all chose an option from the wind, string, chime, or percussion category but things change. The instrument I chose to create, was the pan flute. This is a wind instrument with pipes that are all different lengths to replicate different notes. We had a chart that we made in class showing what sizes each pipe, string, etc, had to be in order to make that note. It also showed the frequency that each note would be at. We were required to make 8 notes on our instruments so when making a blueprint(see on the attached doc), I wrote down the original measurements from the chart. After thinking a little more, I realized I would have to shorten each length for the wind instrument than it had originally been. This definitely factored into changing the notes slightly when played. Once I finished determining the lengths of my pipes, I started building. To see my descriptions of my instrument, you may check out my doc below.

Content:

Frequency - The number of vibrations(waves) that are happening per second. I used frequency in my project when calculating the notes of my instrument. The higher the frequency, the higher pitch the note, the lower the frequency, the lower pitch the note - Equation: f = v/λ - Unit: Hertz(Hz)

Wavelength - The distance of one wave from crest to crest(compression to compression). I used wavelength in my project to determine the length of the sound waves coming from my instrument on each note. The longer the wavelength, the lower pitch the note, the shorter the wavelength, the higher pitch the note - Equation: λ = v/f - Unit: Meters(m)

Wave Speed - How fast waves travel(velocity). I used the wave speed in my project when trying to calculate the wavelength since you need the wave speed wave speed for it - Equation: v = (λ)f - Unit: meters per second(m/s)

Amplitude - The distance from midpoint to max of wave(height). I used amplitude in my project when figuring out the height of the sound wave - Equation: intensity~A^2 - Unit: meters(m)

Transverse Wave - When the particles move perpendicular to the direction of wave/energy motion. I didn't really use this concept in my project since we were more focused on sound waves rather than light and electromagnetic waves.

Longitudinal Wave - When the particles compress and ratify as wave/energy moves along(parallel to particle motion). I used this in my project when noticing how when the pressure of the sound waves tightens and loosens as the notes are played.

Electromagnetic Spectrum - The distribution of electromagnetic radiation according to frequency or wavelength. 

Reflection:

2 of the 6 "C's" that I think our group performed well in was cooperation and communication. I say cooperation because we all worked together to get everyone to their final destination in their work. Once someone finished their part, they asked others if they needed help. Now for communication, I say we did really well in this concept because we were really good about texting each other about updates with the google doc and such. We had to switch the main google doc so we did a good job making sure everyone knew where to write their descriptions and who needed to add what.

2 of the 6 "C's" that I don't think we did very well in critical thinking and collaboration. I say critical thinking because some of us had to change our plans a bit late. Also some people didn't exactly finish on time. I think some things could've gone better if we planned out what we were going to build that day. For collaboration, we didn't do necessarily bad, when it comes to collaboration but we could've done better. We could've managed our time a little better when it comes to the build and the description worksheet.